Standard and trace-dose lithium: a systematic review of dementia prevention and
other behavioral benefits.
Author(s): Mauer S(1), Vergne D(2), Ghaemi SN(3).
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Mood Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Tufts Medical Center,
Boston, MA, USA. (2)Mood Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Tufts
Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA,
USA. (3)Mood Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, Tufts Medical Center,
Boston, MA, USA Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
nghaemi@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
Publication date & source: 2014, Aust N Z J Psychiatry. , 48(9):809-18
OBJECTIVE: Dementia is a major public health issue, with notably high rates in
persons with mood illnesses. Lithium has been shown to have considerable
neuroprotective effects, even in trace or low doses. The aim of this review is to
summarize the current understanding of lithium benefits in trace or low doses in
dementia prevention and for other behavioral or medical benefits.
METHODS: A systematic review identified 24 clinical, epidemiological, and
biological reports that met inclusion criteria of assessing lithium in standard
or low doses for dementia or other behavioral or medical benefits.
RESULTS: Five out of seven epidemiological studies found an association between
standard-dose lithium and low dementia rates. Nine out of 11 epidemiological
studies, usually of drinking water sources, found an association between
trace-dose lithium and low suicide/homicide/mortality and crime rates. All four
small randomized clinical trials of lithium for Alzheimer's dementia have found
at least some clinical or biological benefits versus placebo. Only one small
randomized clinical trial (RCT) of trace lithium has been conducted, assessing
mood symptoms in former substance abusers, and found benefit with lithium versus
placebo.
CONCLUSIONS: Lithium, in both standard and trace doses, appears to have
biological benefits for dementia, suicide, and other behavioral outcomes. Further
RCT research of trace lithium in dementia is warranted.
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