{"id":7775,"date":"2026-01-26T15:30:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T14:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kompetenz-statt-demenz.dsgip.de\/lithium\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T15:33:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T14:33:05","slug":"lithium","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kompetenz-statt-demenz.dsgip.de\/en\/lithium\/","title":{"rendered":"Lithium"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\">\n<p>Lithium salts have been valued as a health tonic for centuries. Natural lithium springs were long regarded as sought-after health resorts and attracted numerous writers, politicians and other celebrities. Particularly in the 19th century and well into the 20th century, lithium was widely used as a mineral supplement to enrich a wide variety of foods and drinks. One well-known example is the soft drink <em data-start=\"547\" data-end=\"557\">Seven-Up<\/em>, which contained lithium citrate until 1950. It was originally marketed specifically for its mood-enhancing properties and was also intended to help alleviate the effects of excessive alcohol consumption.      <\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In recent years, the element lithium has attracted increasing attention, particularly due to the evidence of its essentiality as a trace element and its neuroprotective effects. Due to its multifactorial molecular mechanisms, microdosed lithium administration in particular appears to be a promising approach for the prevention and adjuvant therapy of Alzheimer's disease.   <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Molecular mechanisms of action<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The molecular basis of the neuronal protection of lithium was characterized in 2025 by De Paula et al. in a review paper based on a variety of mechanisms in animal models and cell cultures [1]:   <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3\u03b2, GSK-3\u03b2 for short, which leads to a reduction in tau protein hyperphosphorylation and thus reduces the formation of neurofibrillary tangles<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Reduction in the accumulation of A\u03b2 plaque  <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inhibition of neuroinflammatory processes via NF-\u03baB reduction and microglia activation  <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Promotion of neurogenesis by increasing BDNF expression  <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Protection against oxidative stress and autophagy activation (via Nrf2)  <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lengthening of telomeres, which indicates an anti-ageing effect<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Improvement of synaptic integrity and associated memory improvement  <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Reduction of neuronal apoptosis (=reduced death of nerve cells)  <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Clinical relevance<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The promising preclinical data from animal models and cell cultures have also been confirmed in human studies. In a randomized clinical study, the so-called \"Lit-AD study\", low-dose lithium showed good tolerability and biomarker improvements in Alzheimer's patients, such as fewer A\u00df plaques and higher BDNF.BDNF stands for   <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and is a protein that is essential for the growth, survival and differentiation of neurons [2].<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In addition, meta-analyses from 2024 and 2025 show cognitive stabilization in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease with low-dose lithium. Lithium deficiency correlated with higher dementia risk in epidemiological studies <\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\"> [<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3].<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Terao & Kodama carried out an interesting comparison in 2024: in their meta-analysis, the results of the meta-analyses with lithium were compared with those of the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">anti-amyloid antibody<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-therapy <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">(such as aducanumab, lecanemab and donanemab) <\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">compared to monoclonal antibodies. Lithium was found to be more effective than monoclonal antibodies for cognitive function with the best tolerance and acceptance by patients and would be superior to monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI)   <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">[<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3,4].<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The following table shows a comparison of the clinical key figures <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">[<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3,4]:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"table-1\">\n<table width=\"100%\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th align=\"left\">Parameters<\/th>\n<th align=\"left\">Lithium (microdose)<\/th>\n<th align=\"left\">Aducanumab<\/th>\n<th align=\"left\">lecanemab<\/th>\n<th align=\"left\">donanemab<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Primary mode of action<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">GSK<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">3\u03b2<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Inhibition, \u2193Tau, \u2193A\u03b2, NF<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u03baB<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Modulation, autophagy\u2191<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">A\u03b2 plaque reduction<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">A\u03b2 plaque reduction<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">A\u03b2 plaque reduction<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cognitive effects (MMSE)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Significantly better than aducanumab and placebo<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Low to moderate effects, partly inconsistent<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">No comparable data<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">No comparable data<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Risk of progression (MCI\/Alzheimer&#8217;s)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">45-56% reduction<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">22% reduction (controversial) <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">27% reduction (MCI only) <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">35% reduction (MCI only) <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Annual costs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">90-250 \u20ac<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">25.000-30.000 \u20ac<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">20.000-25.000 \u20ac<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">25.000-30.000 \u20ac<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Side effects<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Very good safety profile<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">13-37% Cerebral edema (ARIA-E) and\/or cerebral hemorrhage (ARIA-H), regular MRI checks necessary<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">13-37% Cerebral edema (ARIA-E) and\/or cerebral hemorrhage (ARIA-H), regular MRI checks necessary<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">13-37% Cerebral edema (ARIA-E) and\/or cerebral hemorrhage (ARIA-H), regular MRI checks necessary<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Practical implementation  <\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For prevention or therapy, Michael Nehls recommends low-dose lithium in the form of lithium orotate. Lithium orotate is the preferred form compared to lithium carbonate or free lithium (e.g. medicinal water), as it offers more stable levels, better brain penetration and a longer half-life. It also has few side effects in microdoses and is therefore potentially suitable for long-term use.    <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">[5,6,7<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">]<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is primarily used for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis. It is also used for clinical pictures and complaints such as brain fog, depression, long COVID, post-vac syndrome, chronic headaches, epilepsy and during alcohol withdrawal. It is taken on prescription from approved pharmacies, as lithium orotate is still only available on prescription. Dr. Michael Nehls is currently seeking official recognition of lithium as an essential trace element in order to obtain approval for sale as a dietary supplement. Despite petitions and publications, however, lithium is not recognized as essential in the EU and is still only available on prescription as a supplement      <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">[7<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">].<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dosage recommendations  <\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Preventive\/essential:  <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1 mg elemental lithium\/day (equivalent to approx. 26 mg lithium orotate) to compensate for deficiency and prevent neuroinflammation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Therapeutic:  <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2-5 mg elemental lithium \/day (approx. 52-130 mg lithium orotate), e.g. for depression, MCI\/Alzheimer's, brain fog, long COVID, etc. until symptoms subside<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Monitoring<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During long-term use, it is essential to monitor the lithium levels in the whole blood. The preventive target range in whole blood is between 25 and 350 \u00b5g\/L (corresponds to approx. 3 \u2013 50 \u00b5mol\/L). Compared to serum monitoring in conventional psychiatric lithium therapy, this analysis in whole blood is significantly more sensitive and is offered by specialized laboratories such as Biovis  <\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\"> [7<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">].<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Conclusion<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The essential trace element lithium has proven to be a promising candidate with proven neuroprotective properties, as it supports the prevention and adjuvant therapy of Alzheimer's disease in microdosed form.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Clinical studies and meta-analyses confirm the cognitive stabilization and superiority over expensive anti-amyloid antibody therapies with better tolerability and orders of magnitude lower costs.  <\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In practice, microdosed lithium orotate (1-5 mg elemental lithium per day, depending on the indication) with monitoring in whole blood is suitable.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>References:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">De-Paula, V. J. R., Radanovic, M., & Forlenza, O. V. (2025). Lithium and neuroprotection: a review of molecular targets and biological effects at subtherapeutic concentrations in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease. <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">International journal of bipolar disorders<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">13<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">(1), 16. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s40345-025-00386-7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s40345-025-00386-7<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Devanand, D. P., Strickler, J. G., Huey, E. D., Crocco, E., Forester, B. P., Husain, M. M., Vahia, I. V., Andrews, H., Wall, M. M., & Pelton, G. H. (2018). Lithium Treatment for Agitation in Alzheimer's disease (Lit-AD): Clinical rationale and study design. <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Contemporary clinical trials<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">71<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">, 33-39. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cct.2018.05.019\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cct.2018.05.019<\/a><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Shen, Y., Zhao, M., Zhao, P., Meng, L., Zhang, Y., Zhang, G., Taishi, Y., & Sun, L. (2024). Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of lithium in Alzheimer's disease: repurposing an old class of drugs. <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Frontiers in pharmacology<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">15<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">, 1408462. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fphar.2024.1408462\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fphar.2024.1408462<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Terao, I., & Kodama, W. (2024). Comparative efficacy, tolerability and acceptability of donanemab, lecanemab, aducanumab and lithium on cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ageing research reviews<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">94<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, 102203. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.arr.2024.102203\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.arr.2024.102203<\/a><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Pacholko, A. G., & Bekar, L. K. (2021). Lithium orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy?.<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Brain and behavior<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">11<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">(8), e2262. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/brb3.2262\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/brb3.2262<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Strawbridge, R., Myrtle, S., Carmellini, P., Hampsey, E., Cousins, D. A., & Young, A. H. (2025). A Survey Exploring People's Experiences With Lithium Bought as a Supplement: Une enqu\u00eate sur l'exp\u00e9rience des personnes avec le lithium en suppl\u00e9ment. <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">70<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">(10), 782-795. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/07067437251328282\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/07067437251328282<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Nehls, M. (2025). The lithium conspiracy: A plea for an essential trace element \u2013 The forbidden key to mental health. Mental Enterprises  <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"\"> <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Image from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/de\/image-illustration\/lithium-supplements-bottle-capsules-3d-rendering-673406407?trackingId=9d9abca5-daa2-4a28-828e-086ae9b3047f&listId=searchResults\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shutterstock<\/a> by <a class=\"mui-w0b8ym-a-inherit-linkContainer\" title=\"Angel Soler Gollonet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/de\/g\/AngelSolerGollonet\" data-automation=\"ContributorDetails\"><span class=\"MuiBox-root mui-16qd35q-centeredContent-avatarContainer\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 mui-1w8ttpd-contributorLabel-linkAvatarLabel\">Angel Soler Gollonet<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":7776,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7775","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kompetenz-statt-demenz.dsgip.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7775","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kompetenz-statt-demenz.dsgip.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kompetenz-statt-demenz.dsgip.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kompetenz-statt-demenz.dsgip.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kompetenz-statt-demenz.dsgip.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7775"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/kompetenz-statt-demenz.dsgip.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7775\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7782,"href":"https:\/\/kompetenz-statt-demenz.dsgip.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7775\/revisions\/7782"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kompetenz-statt-demenz.dsgip.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kompetenz-statt-demenz.dsgip.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}