LITHIUM... THE SOLUTION TO ALZHEIMER'S?!

Recently, Harvard Medical School published its research on how Lithium can cure Alzheimer's Disease on Nature.

For those who are wondering what Alzheimer's Disease is, let's have a look!

INTRODUCTION TO ALZHEIMER'S

Alzheimer's Disease is a condition that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, eventually affecting day-to-day activities. It is a type of Dementia (decline in cognitive function).

WHERE DOES LITHIUM STEP IN?

Over the years, scientists have puzzled over Alzheimer's-like brains never developed Dementia and this question has finally been answered. According to the study, lithium naturally occurs in the brain, protecting it from damage and supporting healthy function. When the levels of Lithium drop, a memory decline is observed.

THE MICE STUDY

In a trial with mice, when the lithium was restored by small doses of the compound lithium orotate, the brain damage was reversed and the memory restored. Lithium compounds are used to treat bipolar and major depressive disorders but are given at high concentrations that can be toxic especially to older people. However, for Alzheimer's, the compound is effective at one-thousandth that dose. It is enough to 'mimic' the natural level of lithium in the brain and the mice treated with it showed no evidence of toxicity.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

While these trials haven't been done on humans yet, the researchers believe that if lithium orotate or a similar compound will move forward into clinical trials in the near future, the narrative of Alzheimer's treatment may change forever. Till then, a caution of not ingesting any lithium compound has been issued. I'm excited to see where this research is heading - are you?