Behavior of rats given lithium salts. A review.

Studies on the effects of lithium on drinking, food intake, locomotor activity and aggression in rats are reviewed. Particular attention is paid to the dosage, concentration, route and schedule of lithium treatments. The effects of lithium on behavior are found to depend on the experimental methods. The main effects of lithium treatments on rat behavior are found to be prevention of the reoccurrence of certain behaviors, enhancement of intake of water and sodium chloride solutions, suppression of some types of spontaneous and drug-induced activity, production of hyperactivity when given together with MAO inhibitors, reduction of some types of aggressive behavior, enhancement of morphine analygesia and reduction of morphine intake. The relationship between the outcome of studies on behavior in rats given lithium and the use of lithium salts to treat human disorders is briefly discussed.