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A ten year-long study explores whether lithium could be crucial in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. It’s the first to confirm that trace amounts of lithium naturally occur in the brain and indicates that this element may play a significant role in preventing and treating cognitive decline.
Lithium, a naturally occurring element in the same group as sodium and potassium, has been used since the 1900s to stabilize mood in conditions like bipolar disorder and other mood disorders. Previous research has explored its potential role in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers found that amyloid plaques in the brain bind to lithium, depleting its levels and limiting its availability for critical brain functions. Their findings show that lithium deficiency contributes to Alzheimer’s, and restoring lithium levels, even in aged mice, reduced disease pathology and improved cognitive function.
Lithium tends to accumulate in Alzheimer’s plaques, reducing its availability in other brain regions. The study examined lithium orotate, a dietary supplement available for human use, which resists binding to amyloid plaques. Supplementing with lithium orotate can mitigate many molecular and cellular changes associated with cognitive decline.
Researchers tested mice engineered to model Alzheimer’s genes, limiting their lithium intake. They discovered that in healthy mice, a lithium-deficient diet hastened cognitive decline, reduced neural synapses, and worsened memory loss.
Lithium treatment offers a distinct approach compared to existing Alzheimer’s therapies. Human clinical trials are essential to confirm its potential as a viable treatment. Next steps include identifying an effective, low-toxicity dose of lithium orotate or another lithium substance for humans and developing a reliable blood test to detect lithium deficiency.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Lithium deficiency and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease
As we grow older, our brains undergo various changes that lead to cognitive decline. The acetylcholine-dependent neurotransmitter system slows with age, primarily causing older adults to struggle with concentration and working memory. It also contributes significantly to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
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