[Comparative evaluation of the suppressive effects of lithium preparations in the treatment of experimental chronic habituation to alcohol].

Experiments on 220 albino rats showed that lithium carbonate, chloride and nicotinate had different capacities to suppress ethanol dependence induced by a three-month administration of alcohol, with lithium nicotinate showing the greatest activity. The efficacy of the drugs correlated with the normalization of the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase, catalase and the levels of nicotinamide coenzymes and lipid peroxides in the brain, liver and kidneys. The drug administration was attended by an increased EEG synchronization, expanded range of perceived frequencies and enhanced synchronization energy. The above changes occurred with all lithium salts, being, however, most prominent with lithium nicotinate.