Effects of Acute Tryptophan Depletion in Lithium-Remitted Manic Patients: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Although the clinical application of lithium in the acute treatment of mania is well established, the biological basis of its efficacy is complex and not fully understood. Proposed mechanisms have included effects on cell membrane transport systems, intracellular second-messenger and signal-transduction systems, and specific neurotransmitters ( Price and Heninger 1994 Price LH Heninger GR Lithium in the treatment of mood disorders. N Engl J Med. 1994; 331: 591-598 Crossref PubMed Scopus (261) Google Scholar ).