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Influence of lithium on peripheral nervous function was evaluated by measuring of electrophysiological parameters in two groups of psychiatric patients (20 lithium treated and 20 affective-psychotic patients without the lithium treatment) and a group of 20 healthy volunteers. Lower amplitudes of M waves (p < 0.015) and sensory neurograms (p < 0.020) on stimulation of the median nerve have been found in both groups of patients. On peroneal nerve stimulation lower M wave amplitudes have been found only in the group of lithium treated patients (p < 0,055). No significant differences in conduction parameters of motor and sensory fibers were demonstrated. Our results demonstrate subclinical involvement of motor and sensory axons in affective-psyhotic patients, which is only slightly more pronounced in lithium treated patients. We suggest that lithium (within therapeutic plasma concentrations) is just one among the factors leading towards minor axonopathy in psychiatric patients.