The effect of alcoholism on membrane lithium transport.

Red cell lithium efflux rates in major affective disorder and alcoholic patient groups were studied. Current alcoholism was associated with significant elevation of lithium transport in white but not black subjects. This effect of alcoholism on the characteristics of membrane ion transport was independent of the blood pressure elevating effects of alcoholism and the diagnosis of major affective disorder. A model to explain the mechanism of this race-specific membrane effect of alcoholism is proposed and discussed.