Lithium 'prevents Parkinson's brain injury'RSS Feed

Lithium has been found to significantly prevent the brain injury associated with Parkinson's disease, according to new research.

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research found that lithium profoundly prevented the aggregation of toxic proteins and the cell loss linked to Parkinson's disease in a mouse model of the condition.

Lead author and Buck Professor Julie Andersen said the fact that lithium's effect on humans is well understood means that it reduces trial risks and could speed up getting the treatment into clinics.

She explains that lithium could also be used to treat brain injury in other neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

"This finding gives us an opportunity to explore lithium as a recognized therapeutic for PD, in doses that are safe and effective" concluded Professor Andersen.

Meanwhile, a study published in journal Biological Psychiatry found that lithium rectified the brain injury seen in patients with bipolar disorder, restoring volume deficits in the brain.

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Posted by Paul Breen
 

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