#1641 ·
Lithium salts—usually lithium carbonate—are the heavy hitters when it comes to treating and preventing Bipolar disorder. We still don't fully wrap our heads around exactly how lithium works in the body, though. Sure, we see some cool effects happening in lab tests in petri dishes, but there's always that big question: does an experimental model actually mirror what’s going on inside a real human being?
But check this out: a recent study done on mice suggests that using lithium at the same therapeutic doses we use for Bipolar disorder might actually help prevent Alzheimer's from developing.
Basically, lithium shuts down an enzyme called GSK-3, which plays a huge role in creating those nasty hallmarks of Alzheimer's, like plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
Using these therapeutic doses showed a massive drop in brain tissue plaques. Now, there's another group of meds called NSAIDs that tackle plaque reduction through a totally different route. Because of that, experts are thinking that combining these two could potentially create a "super effect" for clearing out those plaques.
Of course, the whole lithium theory is still pretty much in the experimental phase. Some researchers are throwing up caution flags, warning that blocking that GSK-3 enzyme might lead to bad side effects, like colon cancer. That said, so far, none of the studies have actually shown a link between lithium and colon cancer.
When it comes to the usual baggage you deal with when taking lithium, people often report headaches, feeling super sluggish or sleepy, slurred speech, tremors, cramps, and ataxia. You can also mess with your stomach, dealing with stuff like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The kidneys are a particular concern too, since they handle most of the sodium excretion. That's why if you're on lithium, you've gotta stay on top of regular kidney function checks.
Because of all this, experts are currently looking into alternative ways to inhibit that GSK-3 enzyme—aiming for something just as effective as lithium but without all the heavy side effects.
But check this out: a recent study done on mice suggests that using lithium at the same therapeutic doses we use for Bipolar disorder might actually help prevent Alzheimer's from developing.
Basically, lithium shuts down an enzyme called GSK-3, which plays a huge role in creating those nasty hallmarks of Alzheimer's, like plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
Using these therapeutic doses showed a massive drop in brain tissue plaques. Now, there's another group of meds called NSAIDs that tackle plaque reduction through a totally different route. Because of that, experts are thinking that combining these two could potentially create a "super effect" for clearing out those plaques.
Of course, the whole lithium theory is still pretty much in the experimental phase. Some researchers are throwing up caution flags, warning that blocking that GSK-3 enzyme might lead to bad side effects, like colon cancer. That said, so far, none of the studies have actually shown a link between lithium and colon cancer.
When it comes to the usual baggage you deal with when taking lithium, people often report headaches, feeling super sluggish or sleepy, slurred speech, tremors, cramps, and ataxia. You can also mess with your stomach, dealing with stuff like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The kidneys are a particular concern too, since they handle most of the sodium excretion. That's why if you're on lithium, you've gotta stay on top of regular kidney function checks.
Because of all this, experts are currently looking into alternative ways to inhibit that GSK-3 enzyme—aiming for something just as effective as lithium but without all the heavy side effects.
