Abstract
Background: There is a growing body of pre-clinical evidence suggesting that lithium (Li) may protect neurons from a range of neurotoxic insults, hence the term neuroprotective effects. Does Li have similar effects also in human subjects? Methods: We reviewed the neuroimaging literature investigating the association between Li treatment and brain structure. Results: There is level I evidence for positive association between Li treatment and brain grey matter volume, which is one of the most replicated neuroimaging findings. It has been reported in the majority of cross sectional studies, all 8 prospective studies, including a randomized controlled trial as well as in 2 meta-analyses and one mega-analysis. The association between Li treatment and grey matter volume occurs regardless of mood state, diagnostic subtype, presence or absence of concomitant medications. It was documented in multiple brain regions, including hippocampus, amygdala, anterior cingulate, subgenual cingulate, inferior frontal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, habenula. Conclusion: Although some methodological and clinical issues complicate the interpretation of findings, there is robust and highly replicated level 1 evidence for positive association between Li treatment and grey matter volumes. These "neuroprotective" effects of Li have been shown even in healthy subjects and appear independent of prophylactic treatment response. Consequently, Li might help maintain brain health even in patients without bipolar disorders and could possibly demonstrate diseasemodifying properties in neurodegenerative disorders.
Keywords: Amygdala, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, lithium, magnetic resonance imaging, neuroprotection, neurodegeneration.
Current Alzheimer Research
Title:Neuroprotective Effects of Lithium in Human Brain? Food for Thought
Volume: 13 Issue: 8
Author(s): Tomas Hajek and Michael W. Weiner
Affiliation:
Keywords: Amygdala, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, lithium, magnetic resonance imaging, neuroprotection, neurodegeneration.
Abstract: Background: There is a growing body of pre-clinical evidence suggesting that lithium (Li) may protect neurons from a range of neurotoxic insults, hence the term neuroprotective effects. Does Li have similar effects also in human subjects? Methods: We reviewed the neuroimaging literature investigating the association between Li treatment and brain structure. Results: There is level I evidence for positive association between Li treatment and brain grey matter volume, which is one of the most replicated neuroimaging findings. It has been reported in the majority of cross sectional studies, all 8 prospective studies, including a randomized controlled trial as well as in 2 meta-analyses and one mega-analysis. The association between Li treatment and grey matter volume occurs regardless of mood state, diagnostic subtype, presence or absence of concomitant medications. It was documented in multiple brain regions, including hippocampus, amygdala, anterior cingulate, subgenual cingulate, inferior frontal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, habenula. Conclusion: Although some methodological and clinical issues complicate the interpretation of findings, there is robust and highly replicated level 1 evidence for positive association between Li treatment and grey matter volumes. These "neuroprotective" effects of Li have been shown even in healthy subjects and appear independent of prophylactic treatment response. Consequently, Li might help maintain brain health even in patients without bipolar disorders and could possibly demonstrate diseasemodifying properties in neurodegenerative disorders.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Hajek Tomas and W. Weiner Michael, Neuroprotective Effects of Lithium in Human Brain? Food for Thought, Current Alzheimer Research 2016; 13 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205013666160219112712
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205013666160219112712 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New Advances in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Alzheimer's Disease
Aims and Scope: Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing prevalence that demands concerted efforts to advance our understanding and strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. This thematic issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative approaches from multidisciplinary perspectives to address ...read more
Alzheimer's Disease Drug Development
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite decades of research, no cure or disease-modifying treatment is available yet. Therefore, the need for developing effective therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease is an urgent matter. This special issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of ...read more
Current updates on the Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neuroinflammation is an invariable hallmark of chronic and acute neurodegenerative disorders and has long been considered a potential drug target for Alzheimer?s disease (AD) and dementia. Significant evidence of inflammatory processes as a feature of AD is provided by the presence of inflammatory markers in plasma, CSF and postmortem brain ...read more
Deep Learning for Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Research
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing number of individuals affected yearly. Deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, has shown immense potential in various domains, including healthcare. This thematic issue of Current Alzheimer Research explores the application of deep learning techniques in advancing our ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Psychiatry Reviews The Multifunctional Anti-inflammatory Drugs Used in the Therapy of Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry Modulation and Absorption of Xenobiotics: The Synergistic Role of CYP450 and P-gp Activities in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Current Drug Metabolism On the Relationship Between the Light/Dark Cycle, Melatonin and Oxidative Stress
Current Pharmaceutical Design Tau as a Molecular Marker of Development, Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Current Aging Science An Image-based Mouth Switch for People with Severe Disabilities
Recent Patents on Computer Science APP Transgenic Mouse Models and their Use in Drug Discovery to Evaluate Amyloid-β Lowering Therapeutics
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's Disease: Implications for Microglial Activation
Current Alzheimer Research Multi-Target Directed Drugs as a Modern Approach for Drug Design Towards Alzheimer’s Disease: An Update
Current Medicinal Chemistry HSP27: Mechanisms of Cellular Protection Against Neuronal Injury
Current Molecular Medicine Neurotransmitters and Microglial-Mediated Neuroinflammation
Current Protein & Peptide Science Melittin: A Natural Peptide with Expanded Therapeutic Applications
The Natural Products Journal Role of Prostaglandins in Multiple Sclerosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Adult Stem Cell Transplants for Spinal Cord Injury Repair: Current State in Preclinical Research
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Astroglial Connexins in Neurological and Neuropsychological Disorders and Radiation Exposure
Current Medicinal Chemistry Endoplasmic Reticulum Protein Quality Control in Neurodegenerative Disease: The Good, the Bad and the Therapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Glutathione Peroxidase: A Potential Marker for the Most Common Diseases and Disorders
Recent Patents on Biomarkers Organophosphate Induced Delayed Polyneuropathy
Medicinal Chemistry Reviews - Online (Discontinued) QSAR Studies for the Pharmacological Inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3
Medicinal Chemistry Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) Derived from Different Cell Sources and their Potential for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine
Current Molecular Medicine