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Effect of Lithium on Human Aggression

Nature volume 230, pages 113–114 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

LITHIUM has been shown to be effective in the manic and hypomanic phase of manic-depressive psychosis1–3, and to some extent to prevent manic episodes and, to a lesser degree, depressive episodes4–6. Manic depressive disorders are frequently characterized by hyperaggressive and hypersexual activity. In animals lithium has been reported to have an inhibitory effect on aggressive behaviour7,8 and on the sexual and aggressive behaviour seen with p-chlorophenylalanine9. I therefore conducted a clinical trial of lithium on human aggressive behaviour.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut

    MICHAEL H. SHEARD

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  1. MICHAEL H. SHEARD
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SHEARD, M. Effect of Lithium on Human Aggression. Nature 230, 113–114 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/230113a0

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