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Inositol Depletion Hypothesis

Meaning

The Inositol Depletion Hypothesis is a proposed neurobiological theory suggesting that the therapeutic action of certain psychotropic medications, particularly lithium and some anticonvulsants, is due to their ability to interfere with the phosphatidylinositol cycle, leading to a functional depletion of inositol within specific brain regions. This depletion is thought to dampen excessive or overactive cellular signaling, thereby exerting a stabilizing effect on mood and neurological function. The hypothesis provides a molecular explanation for the efficacy of these treatments.