Effects of lithium salts on the behaviour and the orcadian system of<i>Mesocricetus auratus</i>W.

Abstract

Abstract LiCl (195 μg/g body weight and day) reduces water uptake in Syrian hamsters by 40%. Sleep duration is increased from 50% per day to 60% per day. Other behavioural items are hardly influenced. Shortening and lengthening of the circadian period was induced by Li+ in individual hamsters, but the mean period of the population was not changed. The upper limit of entrainment is increased by Li+.