Scientists say lithium may be the key to preventing Alzheimer

مضمون کو اردو میں پڑھنے کے لیے یہاں کلک کریں

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature, researchers at Harvard and Rush universities have found that lithium — a metal long used to treat mood disorders — may play a critical role in protecting the aging brain and preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

In mice, a low-lithium diet accelerated brain inflammation, memory loss, and the buildup of harmful beta amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s.

Conversely, maintaining normal lithium levels appeared to shield the brain from these degenerative changes. Intriguingly, the study suggests lithium is not just a drug but a naturally occurring element in the body, necessary in small amounts for healthy brain function, much like iron or vitamin C.

The researchers identified a mechanism where beta amyloid binds to and sequesters lithium, disrupting the brain’s ability to clear toxic proteins and triggering a cascade of damage. Notably, a specific form of lithium — lithium orotate — was shown to reverse Alzheimer’s-like changes in mice, restoring memory and reducing plaque buildup. Although these findings are still in early stages and based on animal models, they offer a promising lead toward future treatments and may explain why diets rich in lithium-containing foods, like leafy greens and legumes, are associated with lower dementia risk. Human trials are needed, but this research may mark a paradigm shift in understanding how essential trace elements influence brain aging.

Source

S. Dutchen. “Could lithium explain — and treat — Alzheimer’s?” August (2025). The Harvard Gazette.