Lithium opens up prospects in psychiatric medicine and Alzheimer's treatment research

Lithium – a potential cornerstone in psychiatric medicine and Alzheimer's research.

Lithium is considered a potential cornerstone in psychiatric medicine and Alzheimer's research. (Illustrative image: Wikipedia)

Lithium has long been used to treat bipolar disorder, helping to prevent alternating manic and depressive episodes and reduce the risk of suicide. However, lithium is only prescribed for about one-third of patients because it requires strict monitoring of blood levels to avoid side effects such as kidney damage, thyroid disorders, or frequent urination.

Used in salt form, lithium remains the most effective mood stabilizer. Advances in brain imaging show that lithium promotes neuronal plasticity, increases dendrite density in the prefrontal cortex, strengthens neuronal connections, and protects gray matter. However, nearly 70% of bipolar patients do not respond to medication, a cause related to the absence or weak activity of the LEF1 gene, limiting the regulatory effects of lithium on overstimulated neurons.

Recently, lithium has been studied for its potential role in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, which affects nearly 140,000 people in Belgium. Professor Jean-Christophe Bier, a neurologist at Erasme University Hospital in Brussels, said that studies on mice have shown that amyloid plaques, characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, are able to absorb and retain lithium. Tests supplementing mice with lithium orotate showed reduced neurological damage and improved memory.

Lithium orotate is a compound consisting of lithium combined with orotic acid, studied as a form of lithium supplementation to support neurological health. Unlike prescription lithium used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, lithium orotate's efficacy and safety in humans have not been fully proven, as studies have primarily been conducted on animals. However, these studies have opened up potential avenues for the prevention and supportive treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Furthermore, toxicity and economic barriers remain. Therapeutic doses of lithium can cause serious side effects on the kidneys, thyroid gland, and brain. Lithium research is costly, while lithium drugs are not highly profitable, limiting investment. New therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies against amyloid, only slow disease progression by about 6 months within an 18-month period, and come with side effects and high costs.

Given this reality, Professor Bier emphasized: "Lithium is not a cure for Alzheimer's. Further research is needed, along with caution in clinical application and optimization of its use to maximize effectiveness while minimizing side effects."

Nevertheless, lithium remains a fascinating and mysterious subject of research, continuing to open new avenues in the treatment of mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. The medical history of this metal is far from over, but caution remains paramount in every step of its clinical application.

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