Hi ,

What are you doing for your brain health today?

You may have noticed stories about lithium and Alzheimer's disease. I would like to share what the latest research tells us about lithium and brain health, why you may have seen headlines about it recently, and what it means for you right now.

A 2025 post-mortem study found that people with memory problems had lower lithium levels in their brains compared to those with healthy cognition. This has people asking: could taking lithium help protect the brain?

It is a fair question. Let me walk you through what we know.

What is lithium?

Lithium is a naturally occurring mineral. Doctors have used it for decades to treat mood disorders. What is newer is the idea that very small amounts might support brain health in a different way.

Why researchers are interested

Lithium affects an enzyme involved in the brain changes we see in Alzheimer's disease. In animal studies, low doses of lithium reduced the harmful protein build-up associated with memory loss and even reversed some memory problems in mice.

That sounds promising. But what works in mice does not always work in humans.

What human studies show

When researchers combined results from six studies involving nearly 400 people with Alzheimer's disease, lithium did not improve memory or daily function in any meaningful way.

But what about people in earlier stages of cognitive change? Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition where people may have noticeable difficulties with memory, language, or thinking that are greater than expected for their age, but they can still manage daily activities independently. Not everyone with MCI progresses to dementia, but it does increase the risk.

In one small study of 61 people with MCI, fewer of those taking low-dose lithium progressed to dementia over two years compared to those not taking it. However, the study was too small to draw firm conclusions.

The bottom line: we have interesting clues, but not strong evidence.

Is lithium safe?

Even at low doses, lithium can affect the kidneys and thyroid. It can also interact with common medications like blood pressure pills and anti-inflammatory drugs. The current studies are too small to tell us how safe long-term use would be, especially in older adults.

What does this mean for you?

Low-dose lithium orotate is not currently prescribed for brain health. The research is still too early. When headlines promise a breakthrough, I want you to have the full picture. Lithium research is worth watching, and I will keep you updated as we learn more.

It is also important to note that studies looking at the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are different from studies looking at preventing progression from MCI to dementia. The results may not be the same.

For now, the best path to brain health is one we already know well.

To your brain health,

Shabnam

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Dr. Shabnam Das Kar, MD

Functional Medicine Doctor

Tiny Habits Coach

Email: [email protected]

References

1. da Silva et al. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry (2025)
2. Forlenza et al. Br J Psychiatry (2019)
3. Aron et al. Nature (2025)