PLASMA INOSITOL LEVELS IN LITHIUM-TREATED MANIC-DEPRESSIVES, SCHIZOPHRENICS AND CONTROLS

Plasma inositol levels of lithium-treated manic-depressives (LTMD), schizophrenics and healthy volunteers have been studied. In contrast with the findings of Allison and Stewart, that Li treatment raises rat plasma inositol while lowering brain inositol, but in agrement with a previous report of our group of no effect of lithium on CSF inositol levels, we now show no significant difference in plasma inositol concentrations of LTMD as compared with those of control subjects. Plasma inositol levels of the schizophrenics in the present study are slightly but significantly decreased from those of controls.