{
  "id": 4598043,
  "title": "Should we all be taking low doses of lithium to prevent Alzheimer’s?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/should-we-all-be-taking-low-doses-of-lithium-to-prevent-alzheimers",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-31T08:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Scientist",
    "slug": "new-scientist",
    "url": "https://www.newscientist.com/article/2586894-should-we-all-be-taking-low-doses-of-lithium-to-prevent-alzheimers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The \"Crazy Well\" of Texas, where a woman reportedly recovered from dementia, has been linked to lithium in its groundwater. This has sparked interest in lithium's potential to prevent or treat dementia. A forthcoming clinical trial at Johns Hopkins University will test lithium orotate, a form of lithium salt, for early Alzheimer's patients. Previously, research from Harvard University showed that lithium orotate reversed memory loss in mouse models of Alzheimer's. Additionally, a study by Hyeong-Moo Shin at Baylor University found that counties with low lithium levels in drinking water had higher dementia rates. However, a 2020 study by Bruce Yankner's team at Harvard found that lithium orotate reversed memory loss in mice, possibly due to reduced glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3 beta) enzyme activity that inhibits neurodegeneration. Despite these promising findings, a 2022 trial of lithium carbonate in humans found no benefit for those over 60 with early memory loss. Caution is advised as excessive lithium intake can lead to side effects and toxicity. While lithium may reduce suicide and crime rates, more research is needed to confirm these associations.",
  "summary": "Animal studies have shown that lithium orotate could help stave off dementia, and a human trial is about to start to see if the effects hold. Columnist Alice Klein takes a look at the benefits and downsides of lithium",
  "key_points": [
    "Lithium in groundwater linked to recovery from dementia in Texas.",
    "Lithium orotate reversed memory loss in mouse models of Alzheimer's.",
    "2022 human trial found no benefit for early memory loss patients."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}