The effect of lithium on methamphetamine-induced regional Fos protein expression in the rat brain

LITHIUM has been used widely for the treatment of manic states. Since amphetamines produce effects in humans similar to the symptoms of idiopathic mania, amphetamine administration to animals has been proposed as a model of this condition. To investigate the neurobiologic substrates of the antimanic effects of chronic lithium administration, we investigated its effects on methamphetamine-induced regional Fos protein expression in the rat brain. Chronic lithium administration (14 days; serum lithium concentration, 0.41 +/- 0.02 mEq/l) significantly reduced the number of neuronal nuclei showing immunoreactivity induced by methamphetamine (2 mg/kg) in the prefrontal cortex, caudate/putamen, nucleus accumbens, and central nucleus of the amygdala. These results indicate the structural basis in CNS which is responsible for the antimanic effect of lithium. NeuroReport 10:895-900 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.