"Yankner's NIH- and foundation-funded research showed that lithium occurs naturally in the brain and maintains the normal function of major brain cell types - and that lithium depletion is one of the earliest changes in Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, the work demonstrated that reduced lithium levels occurred when amyloid plaques - accumulations of aggregated protein in Alzheimer's - bind the metal, further reducing the amount available to support normal brain function."
"When his team, which included research associate Liviu Aron and postdoctoral fellows Ngian Zhen Kai and Chenxi Qiu, reproduced this level of lithium depletion in the mouse brain, it dramatically accelerated the disease and led to memory loss. Lastly, the study suggested that a novel lithium compound, lithium orotate, which was selected for reducing binding to amyloid, could prevent and reverse Alzheimer's pathology and memory loss in mouse models."
Lithium occurs naturally in the brain and supports normal function of major brain cell types. Early lithium depletion appears as one of the earliest changes in Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid plaques bind lithium, further reducing available lithium and compromising brain function. Experimental reproduction of this lithium depletion in mouse brains accelerated disease progression and produced memory loss. A novel lithium compound, lithium orotate, was chosen to reduce amyloid binding and prevented and reversed Alzheimer's pathology and memory deficits in mouse models. The findings generated a large number of inquiries from patients and families seeking advice and hope.
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