Population Studies of Association Between Lithium and Risk of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Title:Population Studies of Association Between Lithium and Risk of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Volume: 13 Issue: 8

Author(s): Markus Donix and Michael Bauer

Affiliation:

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, lithium, neuroprotection, population studies, risk reduction.

Abstract: Background: Lithium shows neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects in vitro and in vivo. Due to its involvement in hippocampal neurogenesis and the interaction with beta-amyloid and neurofibrillary tangle metabolism it has been hypothesized that lithium could have the potential to influence the development of dementia. Method: Using the PubMed database and cross-reference search strategies our aim was to specifically identify population (cohort or case-control) studies investigating the association between lithium and dementia. Results: Data from large cohort studies suggest an association between lithium treatment and dementia risk reduction or reduced dementia severity. Studies with smaller sample sizes yield more variable findings. Conclusions: Lithium may reduce the risk of dementia among middle-aged and older people. Beneficial lithium effects are possibly limited to specific types of neurodegenerative processes.

Cite this article as:

Donix Markus and Bauer Michael, Population Studies of Association Between Lithium and Risk of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Current Alzheimer Research 2016; 13 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205013666160219112957