Alzheimer’s disease is a serious brain condition that gets worse over time. It causes memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior, and it can deeply affect a person’s quality of life.
Despite many years of research, there are still no strong treatments that stop or slow down the disease. That’s why scientists are looking for new ways to protect the brain and slow the effects of Alzheimer’s.
One possible option is lithium, a mineral that is best known as a treatment for bipolar disorder. Lithium has shown promise in protecting the brain in several ways. Studies have found that it may reduce harmful proteins in the brain, such as amyloid-β and tau, which are linked to Alzheimer’s.
It may also lower inflammation and help brain cells stay healthy and connected. Because of these effects, researchers have become interested in using lithium to help preserve memory and slow down Alzheimer’s disease.
A 2025 study found that natural lithium in the brain seems to support healthy thinking as people age. In tests with mice, those with lower levels of lithium in the brain showed faster memory loss and more signs of Alzheimer’s.
These included a buildup of harmful proteins and brain inflammation. When scientists gave the mice a form of lithium called lithium orotate (LIT-O), their memory improved, and their brains showed fewer signs of damage.
This suggests that having the right amount of lithium in the brain may help protect it from Alzheimer’s. But turning this finding into a safe and useful treatment for humans requires more study, especially because some common forms of lithium, like lithium carbonate (LIT-C), can have side effects or may not work well in the brain.
To understand if lithium could help real patients, researchers from Japan led by Professor Taro Kishi looked at six clinical trials where people with mild memory problems or Alzheimer’s were given lithium.
These trials included 435 people and lasted from 10 weeks to 2 years. The studies tested different types of lithium, such as lithium carbonate, lithium gluconate, and lithium sulfate.
The researchers studied whether people taking lithium had better memory or thinking skills than those taking a fake pill (placebo). They also looked at other effects, such as changes in behavior, side effects, and whether people continued or stopped taking the treatment.
The results, published in the journal Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, showed that lithium did not clearly help people think better than the placebo.
There was also no difference in side effects or other outcomes between the groups. In short, the common types of lithium used in these studies did not slow down memory loss in people with Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive problems.
However, the researchers say their work is still useful. It is the most complete summary so far of what we know about lithium and Alzheimer’s. One important finding is that the most commonly used type, lithium carbonate, may not work well because it doesn’t enter the brain as easily and may stick to the harmful amyloid proteins.
This is where lithium orotate (LIT-O) may have an advantage. Early research suggests it can enter brain cells more easily and may work better at lower doses. It may also cause fewer side effects. The scientists say that future studies should test LIT-O in people to see if it can help slow down Alzheimer’s more effectively than older forms of lithium.
In conclusion, while older forms of lithium don’t appear to help much with memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients, newer types like LIT-O could still hold promise.
More studies are now needed to test these newer options in people who are just beginning to show signs of memory loss. This research brings hope that one day, lithium might become a useful tool in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about the protective power of dietary antioxidants against Alzheimer’s, and eating habits linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms, and Vitamin E may help prevent Parkinson’s disease.
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