Which lithium salt has a better antidepressant effect? Scientists conducted an experiment on rats to compare lithium ascorbate to lithium carbonate. 

The Experiment

Researchers used a swimming test. When rats are forced into water, they first try to climb back, then surrender and stay immobilized. Further, rats float and make minimal movements to have their snout above the water. Then rats swim toward the center of the vessel or along the wall.

Researchers observe the rats’ behavior and record the time for climbing, immobilization, and swimming. The antidepressant effect was interpreted as a longer time spent climbing and swimming, with a shorter stage of immobilization. 

Results

Lithium ascorbates had the strongest and fastest effect. By day 7, rats that received it spent significantly less time immobile. By day 14, immobility decreased by 45% compared to the control group, while swimming activity increased by 35%. The antidepressant effect lasted after treatment ended.

Lithium carbonate showed a weaker effect. After one week, rats behaved similarly to the control group. Only by day 14 did small changes appear, with a slight decrease in immobility and a slight increase in swimming and climbing.

This study has limitations, so the results may not directly translate to human patients or predict clinical effectiveness. Read the full science paper here: Study of the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of lithium salts and mixtures in Wistar rats using the Porsolt forced swimming test.