Research Explores Lithium’s Potential to Protect Against Dementia
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Research Explores Lithium's Potential to Protect Against Dementia
- A 2017 Danish study involving over 800,000 individuals found that those exposed to the highest levels of lithium in drinking water (more than 15.0 micrograms per liter) were 17% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia compared to those with the lowest exposure.
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A 2025 study published in Nature by researchers from Harvard Medical School and Rush University suggested that lithium plays an essential role in normal brain function and that its depletion in the brain, possibly by binding to amyloid plaques, may be linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Recent scientific investigations are exploring whether lithium, a trace element found naturally in various foods and drinking water, could offer protective benefits against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. While known for its use in higher doses to treat mood disorders like bipolar disorder, the focus of this new research is on much lower, or “microdose,” levels of lithium.
One significant finding comes from a large Danish study published in *JAMA Psychiatry* on August 23, 2017. This nationwide, population-based study analyzed data from over 800,000 individuals, examining the correlation between long-term exposure to lithium in drinking water and dementia diagnoses. The researchers observed that people with the highest levels of lithium in their drinking water (exceeding 15.0 micrograms per liter) had a 17% lower risk of dementia compared to those with the lowest exposure (2.0 to 5.0 micrograms per liter). However, the study also noted a non-linear association, with intermediate levels of lithium (5.1 to 10.0 micrograms per liter) showing a 22% *higher* risk of dementia.
Further research, including a 2025 study published in *Nature* by Harvard Medical School and Rush University, has delved into lithium’s role in brain function. This study suggested that lithium is a naturally occurring and essential element for normal brain function. The researchers found that lithium levels were significantly lower in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment. Experiments with mice showed that a lithium-deficient diet led to brain inflammation, loss of synaptic connections, and cognitive decline, mirroring changes seen in Alzheimer’s disease. Conversely, maintaining normal lithium levels appeared to protect aging mice from these detrimental changes.
The potential mechanisms by which lithium may protect the brain include reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and the formation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles, which are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Several clinical trials are underway to further investigate the efficacy of low-dose lithium for dementia prevention. For example, the “Lithium as a Treatment to prevent Impairment of Cognition in Elders” (LATTICE) study is a clinical trial examining the effects of lithium on memory and brain imaging in adults with mild cognitive impairment. While promising, experts like Dr. George Grossberg from Saint Louis University School of Medicine emphasize that more large-scale, controlled studies are needed before recommending microdosing lithium for widespread dementia prevention.