By Kristin Juhasz
Paramecium behaviors can illustrate mechanisms that influence biological rhythms and cellular processes. Using Paramecium tetraurelia wild type strain 51s and a cadmium chronotoxicity assay, we have shown that exposure to lithium alters the circadian rhythm of Paramecium. Lithium disrupts circadian clocks via an unknown molecular mechanism. Since lithium-based medications are the drug of choice for bipolar disorder and other human psychiatric illnesses, observing how lithium disrupts circadian responses has potential clinical significance.
