Lithium pharmacological properties

Amines.— The deuteriated ammonium iodide (341) is converted into its ylide irreversibly by n-butyl-lithium in pentane, but reversibly by potassium amide in liquid ammonia. Hence cis- and truns-cyclo-octene were obtained in a ratio of 70 30, respectively, together with labelled iViV-dimethylbutylamine when (341) was treated with n-butyl-lithium in pentane, and in a ratio of 32 68, respectively, together with unlabelled NN-dimethylbutylamine when (341) was treated with potassium amide in liquid ammonia. Sodium in liquid ammonia reduction of the oxime of 3,4-benzocyclohept-3-enone gives 4-amino-1,2-benzocycloheptene, which has interesting pharmacological properties. 

Lithium remains our most effective treatment for reducing the frequency and severity of recurrent affective episodes, but, despite extensive research, the underlying biological basis for the therapeutic efficacy of this drug remains unknown. Lithium is a monovalent cation with complex physiological and pharmacological effects within the brain. By virtue of the ionic properties it... 

Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action. Despite numerous investigations into the biologic and clinical properties of lithium, there is no unified theory for its mechanism of action (see Table 68-10). Chronic lithium administration may modulate gene expression and have neuroprotective effects. 

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