A Breakthrough in Alzheimer’s Research
In a major development, researchers from Harvard Medical School have discovered that low levels of lithium in the brain may play a significant role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. After seven years of detailed investigation, scientists found that restoring lithium to natural levels in mice reversed the effects of the disease and restored brain function.
This breakthrough, published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, has the potential to change how Alzheimer’s is detected and treated, although researchers caution that more studies are needed before it can be used in humans.
Key Findings of the Study
Small doses of lithium orotate (a dietary supplement) restored brain function in mice with Alzheimer’s.
The treatment eradicated harmful amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which are known markers of Alzheimer’s.
The compound works by mimicking natural lithium levels in the brain, not the higher doses found in psychiatric medications.
Low brain lithium levels were linked to memory loss, brain deterioration, and aging in mice.
The Science Behind the Discovery
The research was led by Prof. Bruce A. Yankner, a professor of genetics and neurology at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research.
What Does Lithium Do in the Brain?
In a healthy brain, lithium helps to:
Maintain neuron communication
Build myelin, the protective layer around nerve fibres
Support microglial cells, which clear brain waste and debris
Preserve memory and cognitive function
As we age, lithium levels naturally decline. The study found that this decline accelerates damage caused by Alzheimer’s — including the build-up of amyloid beta plaques and tau protein tangles, both of which disrupt brain communication and kill neurons.
What the Study Showed in Mice
When scientists reduced lithium in otherwise healthy mice, the animals began to lose synapses and show memory loss. However, when treated with small amounts of lithium orotate, their brain function returned to that of young adult mice.
“We found that lithium orotate actually reverted their memory to the young adult, six-month level,”
– Prof. Bruce Yankner
The treatment allowed microglial cells to more efficiently remove plaques and reduced the formation of harmful brain proteins.
A Word of Caution from Experts
Despite the promising results, researchers urge the public not to start taking lithium supplements just yet.
“I do not recommend that people take lithium at this point,”
– Prof. Bruce Yankner
The findings must be replicated in other labs and tested through human clinical trials before lithium orotate can be considered a safe treatment option. The research community also needs to determine the correct dosage to avoid side effects such as kidney and thyroid problems, which can be caused by high doses of lithium.
Reaction from the Scientific Community
Experts in the field have responded positively to the findings.
Matt Kaeberlein, former director of the Healthy Aging and Longevity Research Institute at the University of Washington, described the study as “a major moment”.
“It will be an embarrassment to the Alzheimer’s clinical community if [trials] don’t happen right away,” he said.
Li-Huei Tsai, a top neuroscientist at MIT, said the research adds an important piece to the Alzheimer’s puzzle, especially since many people carry genetic risk factors but never develop the disease.
Could This Help with Early Diagnosis?
Yes, possibly. The team believes that testing for lithium levels in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or through brain imaging may allow doctors to:
Detect early signs of Alzheimer’s
Identify people at risk years before symptoms appear
Monitor brain health as part of routine care
This approach could lead to earlier interventions and more effective long-term treatment plans.
Current Alzheimer’s Treatments vs Lithium Orotate
Current Alzheimer’s treatments include:
Monoclonal antibodies like Aducanumab, Lecanemab, and Donanemab to clear amyloid plaques
Cholinesterase inhibitors like Donepezil, Rivastigmine, and Galantamine to boost acetylcholine levels, a brain chemical involved in memory
But none of these treatments have reversed the disease — something lithium orotate achieved in mice.
Looking Beyond Alzheimer’s
The Harvard team is also exploring lithium orotate’s potential in treating other neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
“We’re looking at a whole slew of disorders,”
– Prof. Yankner
Because very small amounts of lithium orotate were used in the study, side effects may be minimal, which raises hope for safe human trials in the near future.
Alzheimer’s in Numbers
Over 7 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s.
The number is expected to reach nearly 13 million by 2050.
(Source: Alzheimer’s Association)
Final Thoughts
This groundbreaking study from Harvard offers a ray of hope in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. With affordable, widely available lithium orotate showing potential to reverse brain damage in mice, the next step is urgent clinical testing in humans.
Until then, researchers continue to urge caution, emphasising that lithium should not be taken without medical supervision.
References:
Harvard Medical School study published in Nature, August 2025
Alzheimer’s Association: alz.org
University of Washington – Healthy Aging and Longevity Research Institute
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Picower Institute for Learning and Memory
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