[On improved prophylaxis of endogenous-phasic psychoses. Influence of L-aspartate on lithium transport (author's transl)].

The influence of aspartate on lithium transport was studied with humna red blood cells (rbc) in vitro and after i.p. injection of Li-DL-asp or LiCl in different tissues of the rat. After administration of Li-asp the lithium concentrations in brain and rbc of the rats increased more slowly compared to rat treated 3 to 6 days with Li-asp were more than two times higher than those of rats treated with LiCl. After daily injection of the two salts, lithium levels in the brains of rats teated with LiCl. Results of in vitro experiments with human rbc indicate that the effect of aspartate on lithium transport is specific for L-aspartate. In addition a similar but smaller effect has been observed with l-glutamate.