Health
Related: About this forumAccording to Harvard Scientists, Lithium May Be the Key to Stopping Alzheimer's
Un-clickbaited the headline.
https://scitechdaily.com/according-to-harvard-scientists-this-missing-nutrient-may-be-the-key-to-stopping-alzheimers/
What sets off the earliest chain of events that leads to Alzheimers disease? And why do some people who show Alzheimers-like brain changes never progress to dementia? These unresolved questions have challenged scientists for decades.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School now believe they may have an explanation: a deficiency of lithium in the brain.
Their study, published on August 6 in Nature, demonstrates for the first time that lithium is naturally present in the brain, where it protects against neurodegeneration and supports the normal functioning of all major brain cell types. The findings a decade in the making draw on mouse experiments as well as analyses of human brain tissue and blood samples from people at different stages of cognitive health.
Open-access paper.
Abstract:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09335-x
PDF (34 Megabytes )
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09335-x.pdf
Bayard
(29,975 posts)I worry about my own noodle because of family history. Now, if they can turn this into a practical application........
Thanks for posting, Usonian.
ShepKat
(541 posts)also helps with the downside of methylphenidate use. Decreasing the body's urge to take more
mwooldri
(10,824 posts)Now I'm not a doctor but I presume there would be a blood test for lithium? And that a "normal" range is known? And that I suppose folks could ask for this blood test from their GP and if low get some kind of supplement? Nothing like the kind of doses people being treated for bipolar get of course.
Seems to be good news, and thus something that we can do to help prevent Alzheimer's.
Response to usonian (Original post)
jfz9580m This message was self-deleted by its author.
ShepKat
(541 posts)I have ehlers danlos/tnxb. Cannabis is an incredible help.
jfz9580m
(17,430 posts)That sound rough. I know cannabis has been a life saver for me in some ways. It really helps me deal with the stresses of life.
It's an incredible tool - nothing compares. Endocannabinoids are amazing.
Some people tend to treat it like a toy.
Everything in moderation, more is not better
jfz9580m
(17,430 posts)While I ignore the reefer madness stuff, I do mildly worry about its effects on the heart if not used in moderation and any drug that impacts cancer signalling pathways probably cuts both ways some. Thats only a hunch though..