I thought this article was interesting in that it suggests that Lithium therapy may be linked to reduced risk of Alzheimer's diseas and stroke.
- Dr. Thomas Hale
Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr. 2018 Dec;86(12):745-753. doi: 10.1055/a-0633-2511. Epub 2018 Nov 12.
[Update - Lithium in the Long-Term Treatment of Bipolar Disorders].
[Article in German; Abstract available in German from the publisher]
Abstract
Lithium is the gold standard in the long-term treatment of bipolar disorders and the only substance with a convincing antisuicidal effect in affective disorders. Under regular monitoring, lithium represents mostly a well-tolerated and safe medication. Balancing risk and benefits shows that lithium can also be an off-label therapeutic option during pregnancy and breast feeding. Lithium may exhibit neuroprotective effects and has been linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and stroke. In the future, biomarkers of lithium response may be available that enable development of more personalized therapies.
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.