Connect
New intel re Lithium Orotate
I have discussed previously that I have mild cognitive dysfunction and after two rounds of neuropsych testing over two years and Lab & imaging testing confirming my clinical profile, I am taking Lithium Orotate as a nutritional supplement. But I consume professional intel on studies religiously. Like this one.
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/lecanemab-or-lithium-compare-benefits-risks-and-dose
The key question that stood out to me which the physician author (Dr Phelps) asks in his review of studies is below. I highly emcourage reading this. You have to follow some links and jump back and forth a bit but make the effort. For those of you fond of calculating elemental lithium there is a section on calculating equivalent dosing to the mice study.
“Brain lithium prevents amyloid plaque formation and phosphorylation of tau proteins. In the process of AD dementia, lithium is sequestered in plaques, creating a positive feedback loop: more plaque, less lithium, leading to more plaque, and so on. Giving lithium orotate to young adult mice almost completely prevented plaque formation and tau phosphorylation. Starting lithium orotate after plaques and phosphorylated tau have already formed almost completely reversed the expected cognitive impairment. Lithium carbonate is far less effective. If all this were true in humans, lithium orotate would be an obvious treatment both to prevent AD dementia and to treat it once detected.
Of course, skeptics’ first response has been “these are mouse data.” Aron et al point out that lithium levels in human and mouse brains are comparable, supporting the relevance of mouse models for studying the biological effects of lithium. Skeptics, including a prominent neurologist following a national presentation on AD treatment, have said that we should wait for a randomized trial of lithium orotate in humans (personal communication, August 2025). But the recent lithium carbonate randomized trial took 8 years to mount and complete. What shall we suggest to patients and families for the next 8 years?
A healthy lifestyle—including a Mediterranean-like diet, regular physical activity, and avoidance of smoking, excessive alcohol, social isolation, sleep disorders, and hearing loss—is an important means of preserving cognitive function in people at risk of developing dementia.
The subsequent article will compare lecanemab and lithium’s benefits, risks, and costs. With ApoE genotyping and the new pTau/amyloid blood test, patients and families need help now deciding between treatment alternatives.”
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.
Connect
@edsutton, as others have mentioned, please be careful about increasing the dosage. Over dosage can have serious adverse side effects.
For everyone, when considering a non-yet standard medication or supplement, please talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist about dosing, potential side effects and drug interactions.
All information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you Colleen.
I share your position but will clarify that most if not all of us are in fact engaged with our Doctors. In my case both my Neurologist and my Primary are in the loop. Because of their
responsibilities, they of course would prefer to wait for classic double blind human trials. But we are all on the cognitive decline journey and a multi-year wait to be proactive is not a practical option. We are very lucky to have hope that this nutritional mineral supplement might be a valuable miraculous path for us.
As a point of reference, the dosage we are discussing among our common interest group is approximately 1% of the dosage given to bipolar patients. They take 1200-1800 mg a day and are discussing 5-12. In the bipolar case, the lithium salt (lithium carbonate) is quite different from lithium orotate and that is the critical difference that allows the very low dosage to be effective.
Finally, we aren’t winging it. The options we are discussing are sourced from studies conducted or reviewed by respected Physicians and Psychiatrists in a variety of disciplines. . From sources such as Harvard. And the source of mineral we take is from credible registered Supplement providers.
So again, I understand your sensitivities around the mission of Connect.. it is an important resource and none of us would be cavalier in how we use it.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions@ralpha4
Yes. For simple calculation, this equals one mg of lithium orotate per 13 pounds of body weight.
(12.8333... rounded up to 13)
@pb50 agreed! My LO who I started on Li Orotate in August 2025 is in stage 4-5 of Alz. She can't wait for drug trials. I started myself on 10 mg at the same time. Neither of us have had any adverse side effects. Has she benefited. Who knows? Will it ward off any symptoms for me? Who knows? In my opinion it can't hurt based on what we know at this time. She's scheduled for an appt next week for a discussion of Leqemba.