An Overview of the Effects of Lithium on Alzheimer’s Disease: A Historical Perspective

Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2025 Apr 5;18(4):532. doi: 10.3390/ph18040532.

ABSTRACT

Lithium was introduced into psychiatric practice in the late nineteenth century and has since become a standard treatment for severe psychiatric disorders, particularly those characterized by psychotic agitation. It remains the most effective agent for managing acute mania and preventing relapses in bipolar disorder. Despite potential adverse effects, lithium’s use should be carefully considered relative to other treatment options, as these alternatives may present distinct safety and tolerability profiles. The World Health Organization classifies lithium salts as ‘essential’ medications for inclusion in global healthcare systems. Over the past two decades, the growing recognition of lithium’s efficacy-extending beyond mood stabilization to include reducing suicide risk and inducing neuroprotection-has led to its incorporation into clinical practice guidelines. Current research, particularly from translational models, suggests that lithium’s pleiotropic effects benefit not only mental and brain health but also other organs and systems. This supports its potential as a therapeutic candidate for neurological conditions, particularly those associated with neurodegenerative processes. This article will discuss the historical background, discovery, and early experimentation of lithium in psychiatry. We will also review its mechanisms of action and discuss its potential in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on Alzheimer’s disease.

PMID:40283967 | DOI:10.3390/ph18040532