Seven years of investigation by scientists at Harvard Medical School has revealed that the loss of the metal lithium plays a powerful role in Alzheimer\u2019s disease, a finding that could lead to earlier detection, new treatments and a broader understanding of how the brain ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Researchers led by Bruce A. Yankner, a professor of genetics and neurology at Harvard Medical School, reported that they were able to reverse the disease in mice and restore brain function with small amounts of the compound lithium orotate, enough to mimic the metal\u2019s natural level in the brain. Their study appeared Wednesday in the journal Nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe obvious impact is that because lithium orotate is dirt cheap, hopefully we will get rigorous, randomized trials testing this very, very quickly,\u201d said Matt Kaeberlein, former director of the Healthy Aging and Longevity Research Institute at the University of Washington, who did not participate in the study.\u201cAnd I would say that it will be an embarrassment to the Alzheimer\u2019s clinical community if that doesn\u2019t happen right away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p> Scientists at Harvard Medical School found that the loss of the metal lithium plays a powerful role in Alzheimer\u2019s disease, a finding that could lead to earlier detection, new treatments and a broader understanding of how the brain ages. https:\/\/t.co\/54UjaiD70G<\/a><\/p>— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 6, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>