A possible indication for red cell lithium determinations: a case report

The recommended prophylactic lithium levels in the treatment of manic depressive patients differ from study to study. In this paper, we present a patient who was maintained euthymic on lower plasma levels than those recommended. However, we theorize that the reason for this may be due to the fact that she had a high RBC/plasma ratio. We recommend that in those patients whose plasma lithium levels are consistently low, this point should be kept in mind before considering them as noncompliant.

Ontogenesis of serotonergic systems in rat brain

It was shown that the concentration of brain 5-HT rises slowly, reaching mature values by 80 days of age, while the catabolic product of 5-HT, i.e., 5-HIAA, drops from a high perinatal value to lower values by adulthood. This is indicated of poorly developed storage mechanisms at this early period in life. It was also shown that MAO develops at a rapid rate, acquiring mature values by 20 days. The activity of MAO towards substrates develops at different rates, although the general pattern of development is the same.