Gene-Dependent Effect of Lithium on Circadian Rhythms in Mice (Mus Musculus)

Abstract

Lithium has been shown to lengthen free-running circadian periods in a variety of species. Here we show that lithium carbonate differentially lengthens the free-running period of a circadian wheel running rhythm in BALB/CByJ and C57BL/10Sn inbred mouse strains. This result supports previous evidence that lithium lengthens mammalian circadian rhythms, and also demonstrates that gene differences can mediate individual differences in response to lithium treatment.

Key Words:

• Circadian rhythm
• lithium
• inbred strain
• Mus musculus