Lithium is a mineral that occurs naturally and in trace amounts in the human body. Past research has established that lithium appears to have a neuroprotective effect on the brain. According to a recent study, lithium is a naturally occurring substance in the brain and is essential for regular brain activity. Researchers also found that because lithium binds to beta-amyloid plaques, a decrease in lithium in the brain could be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease.
Lithium is a naturally occurring mineral that is present in trace amounts within the human body, primarily acquired through the consumption of certain foods and water with high mineral content.
Research has indicated that lithium may have neuroprotective properties, suggesting it could play a role in preserving brain health [1]. Studies have linked its presence to a reduced risk of neurological conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and mild cognitive impairment [2,3].
A recent study published in the journal Nature adds to the evidence for lithium’s possible neuroprotective effects [4]. The study has demonstrated for the first time that lithium is a naturally occurring substance in the brain and is essential to healthy brain function.
Additionally, because lithium binds to amyloid-beta plaques, which are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, scientists found that a loss of lithium in the brain may be an early warning sign for the neurological condition.
Very Low Lithium Levels Found in Alzheimer’s Brain Samples
Researchers conducted this investigation using postmortem brain tissue and an Alzheimer’s disease animal model.
Researchers used brain tissue samples from people who had passed away and had a mix of mild cognitive impairment, advanced Alzheimer’s disease, and healthy cognition. They found that lithium was the only trace metal in the brain that varied significantly between the groups out of the 27 different trace metals.
Researchers discovered that changes in lithium levels in the brain began at the early stages of memory loss, and levels of the mineral were extremely low in samples from individuals with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s.
Restored Lithium Levels Reversed Brain Damage in a Mouse Model.
The researchers then confirmed their theory using a mouse model. They discovered that when healthy mice were fed a diet low in lithium, they aged more quickly and developed cognitive loss and brain inflammation.
Researchers found that reductions in lithium levels accelerated the development of amyloid-beta plaques and triggered inflammatory cells known as microglia in the brains of mice with Alzheimer’s disease.
However, when they provided the mice with lithium orotate, a lithium compound, the brain damage caused by Alzheimer’s was reversed, and memory function was restored.
According to Bruce Yankner, the study’s senior author, the concept that lithium deficiency could be a cause of Alzheimer’s disease is novel and proposes a different therapeutic approach.
Yankner warned that extrapolating from mouse models requires caution and that a controlled clinical trial in humans is necessary to be certain. However, he stressed that their findings are very encouraging so far.
Moving toward new treatments and prevention
Since lithium is toxic at high doses, previous experiments with Alzheimer’s patients had limited success. According to recent research, amyloid beta traps lithium, limiting its effectiveness. Lithium orotate avoids this issue by working at extremely low doses in mice without toxicity.
Yankner stated that one of the most encouraging findings for them was the presence of profound effects at such a low dosage.
If proven in humans, monitoring lithium levels could be used as a screening tool to identify persons at risk of Alzheimer’s disease who could benefit from early intervention.
However, Yankner emphasizes caution, stating that lithium has not yet been demonstrated to be safe or useful in preventing neurodegeneration in humans, and that people should not self-medicate. However, he remained hopeful.
He hopes that lithium will have a more significant effect than anti-amyloid or anti-tau medicines, reversing cognitive deterioration and enhancing patients’ lives.
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References
- Ghanaatfar, F., Ghanaatfar, A., Isapour, P., Farokhi, N., Bozorgniahosseini, S., Javadi, M., Gholami, M., Ulloa, L., Coleman‐Fuller, N. and Motaghinejad, M., 2023. Is lithium neuroprotective? An updated mechanistic illustrated review. Fundamental & clinical pharmacology, 37(1), pp.4-30.
- Forlenza, O.V., Radanovic, M., Talib, L.L. and Gattaz, W.F., 2019. Clinical and biological effects of long-term lithium treatment in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment: randomised clinical trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 215(5), pp.668-674.
- Guttuso Jr, T., Shepherd, R., Frick, L., Feltri, M.L., Frerichs, V., Ramanathan, M., Zivadinov, R. and Bergsland, N., 2023. Lithium’s effects on therapeutic targets and MRI biomarkers in Parkinson’s disease: a pilot clinical trial. IBRO Neuroscience Reports, 14, pp.429-434.
- Aron, L., Ngian, Z.K., Qiu, C., Choi, J., Liang, M., Drake, D.M., Hamplova, S.E., Lacey, E.K., Roche, P., Yuan, M., Hazaveh, S.S., 2025, et al. Lithium deficiency and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Nature, 645(8081), pp.712-721.
- Dutchen, S. Could Lithium Explain — and Treat — Alzheimer’s Disease? Harvard Medical School. https://hms.harvard.edu/news/could-lithium-explain-treat-alzheimers-disease. Published Online: 6th August, 2025. Accessed: 23rd February, 2026.
- Pelc, C. Alzheimer’s is linked to low brain lithium levels, study shows. Medical News Today. Published Online: 14th August, 2025. Accessed: 23rd February, 2026.
- Lithium deficiency identified as key Alzheimer’s trigger. Drug Target Review. https://www.drugtargetreview.com/news/181585/lithium-deficiency-identified-as-key-alzheimers-trigger/. Published Online: 13th August, 2025. Accessed: 23rd February, 2026.
- Brent, L. Lithium may be a key to preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Parsemus Foundation. https://www.parsemus.org/2025/08/lithium-may-be-a-key-to-preventing-alzheimers-disease/. Published Online: 20th August, 2025. Accessed: 23rd February, 2026.
