New research published in Nature reveals that people with early Alzheimer’s disease have significantly lower levels of lithium in their brains compared to healthy individuals. When scientists removed lithium from the diets of mice, the animals developed brain changes similar to Alzheimer’s, including memory problems and brain cell damage. However, when researchers gave the mice a special form of lithium supplement, it prevented these harmful changes and protected their memory. This groundbreaking study suggests that maintaining proper lithium levels in the brain might help prevent or slow down Alzheimer’s disease.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether low levels of lithium (a natural mineral) in the brain contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease
- Who participated: People with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, plus laboratory mice used as disease models
- Key finding: Lithium was the only mineral significantly reduced in brains of people with early Alzheimer’s, and removing it from mice caused Alzheimer’s-like brain damage
- What it means for you: Maintaining adequate lithium levels through diet or supplements might help protect against Alzheimer’s, but more human studies are needed before making recommendations