Inhibition of fighting in isolated mice following repeated administration of lithium chloride.

Lithium was found to be a selective (i.e., it antagonized aggression at doses that did not produce concurrent neuromuscular impairment) antagonist of isolation-induced aggressive behavior in mice following repeated (subacute) administration for five days. Acute (single dose) administration of lithium failed to inhibit aggression. At atiaggressive doses, lithium did not produce ataxia as measured by the inclined-screen or rotarod procedures. The mechanism of this action is discussed in terms of a possible influence on serotonergic mechanisms.