Effects of lithium salts on the behaviour and the orcadian system ofMesocricetus auratusW.

Abstract
LiCl (195 .mu.g/g body weight and day) reduces water uptake in Syrian hamsters by 40%. Sleep duration is increased from 50%/day to 60%/day. Other behavioral items are hardly influenced. Shortening and lengthening of the circadian period was induced by Li+ in individual hamsters, but the mean period of the population was not changed. The upper limit of entrainment is increased by Li+.