Abstract
Clinical reports have suggested lithium as a potential antidepressant agent. We have evaluated its potential usefulness as an antidepressant agent in an animal test model. In this test a potential antidepressant agent should potentiate the behavioral and cardiovascular effects of yohimbine, a naturally occurring indole alkaloid, in conscious dogs. For comparison, imipramine, a standard antidepressant drug was used. Lithium administration whether acutely or chronically, at plasma concentrations of 1.29–1.54 mEq/l, failed to potentiate the behavioral and cardiovascular effects of yohimbine. Imipramine consistently potentiated the effects of yohimbine. Results presented here indicate that the lithium ion, in blood concentrations found therapeutic in the treatment of mania, may not possess antidepressant activity, based on this test system.
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