Cox J R, Pearson R E, Brand H L
Gerontology. 1977;23(3):219-35. doi: 10.1159/000212191.
Two groups of depressed subjects, one with a history of recurrent depression, the other with a history of persistent apathy, were given lithium carbonate 1,200 mg q.i.d. and supplementart potassium 1,200 mg t.d.s. for 1 week. Measurements were made before and after the lithium treatment of total body water (tritium space), extracellular fluid (sulphate space), total exchangeable sodium (Nae) and total exchangeable potassium (Ke) using sodium-24 and potassium-42 multiple isotope dilution techniques. Prior to treatment when compared with a group of normal subjects, both depressed groups showed changes in body fluid volumes and electrolyte levels. Total body water, intracellular fluid and intracellular potassium were lowered, while electrolyte levels. Total body water, intracellular fluid and intracellular potassium were lowered, while intracellular sodium was raised. After treatment with lithium the values in the apathetic group showed little change but the group with recurrent depression showed a significant increase in intracellular fluid (p less than 0.025), Ke (p less than 0.001), intracellular potassium (p less than 0.025) and a significant decrease in Nae (p less than 0.05). There was a marked increase in mood in the group with recurrent depression but not in the apathetic group following lithium treatment. These findings suggest that recurrent depression, both in clinical improvement, mood and also correction of water and also correction of water and electrolyte disturbances arise, but not in patients with long-standing apathy.
两组抑郁症患者，一组有复发性抑郁症病史，另一组有持续性冷漠病史，给予碳酸锂1200毫克，每日4次，补充钾1200毫克，每日3次，持续1周。使用钠 - 24和钾 - 42多同位素稀释技术，在锂治疗前后测量全身水（氚空间）、细胞外液（硫酸盐空间）、总可交换钠（Nae）和总可交换钾（Ke）。治疗前，与一组正常受试者相比，两组抑郁症患者的体液量和电解质水平均有变化。全身水、细胞内液和细胞内钾降低，而细胞内钠升高。锂治疗后，冷漠组的值变化不大，但复发性抑郁症组的细胞内液（p < 0.025）、Ke（p < 0.001）、细胞内钾（p < 0.025）显著增加，Nae显著降低（p < 0.05）。锂治疗后，复发性抑郁症组的情绪有明显改善，而冷漠组则没有。这些发现表明，复发性抑郁症在临床改善、情绪以及水和电解质紊乱的纠正方面均有出现，但长期冷漠的患者则没有。
