Lithium and the Brain - Could this Mineral be the Missing Link in Alzheimer's?

When most of us hear “lithium,” we think of batteries or even medicine for mood disorders. But this naturally occurring mineral found in everyday things like grains, veggies, eggs, milk, and even tap water may hold surprising clues about how our brains age.

A new study out of Harvard Medical School shows groundbreaking findings on the role lithium plays in brain health, particularly when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that loss of lithium in the brain is one of the earliest changes seen in patients with Alzheimer’s, and restoring that balance could be a critical missing link in how we diagnose and treat the disease.

In higher doses, lithium has long been used to treat mood disorders like bipolar disorder by calming activity in the central nervous system. But even in much smaller, naturally occurring amounts, lithium seems to be busy behind the scenes in our bodies.

Scientists have discovered that lithium helps regulate brain function and supports the release of key brain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline. These messengers not only help regulate mood; they also may help protect the brain by slowing age-related changes that can lead to Alzheimer’s.

Research also suggests lithium helps stimulate new brain cells and encourages the production of neural stem cells, which are building blocks for repair and regeneration. It can also defend against oxidative stress. This is when free radicals (unstable molecules) overwhelm our body’s defenses and cause damage to cells, DNA, and proteins. Left unchecked, oxidative stress can contribute to chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s.

By helping restore balance, lithium may offer a natural layer of protection for the brain as it ages. While these findings are exciting, experts are careful to note that we’re still in the early stages of understanding lithium’s full role. For now, the research points toward promising new ways to look at both diagnosing Alzheimer’s earlier and protecting brain health over time. Something as simple as a trace mineral we encounter every day could be part of the puzzle in one of medicine’s most challenging diseases.