Changes in Erythrocyte Sodium and Potassium on Recovery from a Depressive Illness

Abstract

Erythrocyte sodium and potassium concentrations were determined in female patients suffering from a severe depressive illness. On recovery no significant change was shown in these values. The patients were subdivided by diagnostic scales into 11 neurotic depressives and 14 psychotic depressives. The psychotic but not the neurotic depressives showed a significant decrease in erythrocyte sodium on recovery. No significant change in erythrocyte potassium concentration occurred. On recovery the mean erythrocyte sodium concentration of the neurotic patients remained significantly lower than that of the psychotic patients and of twelve female controls.