Low-dose lithium
Low-dose lithium has emerged as a promising treatment option for various mental health and neurological conditions. This mineral, naturally occurring in food and water supplies, has shown potential benefits when used in doses much lower than those prescribed for bipolar disorder.
Potential Benefits
Cognitive Function and Dementia Prevention
Low-dose lithium has demonstrated neuroprotective effects and may help prevent cognitive decline. Studies have shown that:
– Microdoses of lithium (300 μg daily) stabilized cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients over 15 months compared to placebo[1][5].
– Low-dose lithium treatment decreased phosphorylated tau in cerebrospinal fluid and improved cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment[1].
Mental Health
Research suggests low-dose lithium may have positive effects on various mental health conditions:
– Depression: Low-dose lithium (300-450 mg) showed benefits as an augmentation strategy for treatment-resistant depression[1].
– Suicidality: Ecological studies have found correlations between higher levels of lithium in groundwater and lower suicide rates[8].
– Irritability and anger: Microdoses of lithium may help reduce irritability and anger in both adults and children[1].
Other Potential Applications
– Substance use disorders: Low-dose lithium (150 mg) improved outcomes in residential addiction treatment programs[1].
– Parkinson’s disease: Early research suggests low-dose lithium may have protective effects against dopamine neuron loss[6].
– Cardiovascular health: Low-dose lithium may stabilize human endothelial barriers and improve cholinergic endothelium-mediated vasorelaxation[17].
Safety and Dosage
Low-dose lithium typically refers to doses that result in serum concentrations ≤0.5 mM, which is below the therapeutic range used for bipolar disorder (0.5-1.2 mM)[5]. These lower doses are generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with fewer side effects compared to higher therapeutic doses[8].
Current Research and Future Directions
While the potential benefits of low-dose lithium are promising, more research is needed to fully understand its effects and optimal use:
– A phase 1b clinical trial is underway to investigate low-dose lithium for Parkinson’s disease[4].
– Studies are exploring the use of low-dose lithium for long COVID symptoms, though initial results have been mixed[14].
An interesting perspective can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYsAwEeaYSI
Related: The rising incidence of early-onset cancer
A developing story?
Citations:
[1] https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/low-dose-lithium-a-new-frontier-in-mental-health-treatment
[2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41537-023-00400-w
[3] https://medicine.buffalo.edu/strategic-planning.host.html/content/shared/smbs/news/2023/01/guttuso-lithium-long-covid-16397.detail.html
[4] https://www.vai.org/article/cure-parkinsons-and-van-andel-institute-announce-funding-for-a-phase-1-clinical-trial-of-low-dose-lithium-in-parkinsons-disease/
[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10227915/
[6] https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/2024/05/phase-1-clinical-trial-of-lithium-in-parkinsons-set-to-begin/
[7] https://www.psychiatryredefined.org/low-dose-lithium/
[8] https://chandramd.com/low-dose-lithium-supplements/
[9] https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/low-dose-lithium-different-important-tool
[10] https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/lithium-oral-route/description/drg-20064603
[11] https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/low-dose-lithium-a-new-frontier-in-mental-health-treatment
[12] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34059401/
[13] https://chandramd.com/low-dose-lithium-supplements/
[14] https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241003/Low-dose-lithium-fails-in-long-COVID-trial-but-higher-doses-show-potential.aspx
[15] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41537-023-00400-w
[16] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35236261/
[17] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2016.00593/full
[18] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3151375/
[19] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2824334
