Khaberni - A study conducted by scientists from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States revealed that lithium compound medications used to treat bipolar disorder, may contribute to slowing memory deterioration in the elderly.
Participants were over 60 years old, suffering from mild memory impairment, and were randomly divided into two groups: the first received low doses of lithium medications, and the second received placebo treatments. Over two years, scientists assessed the cognitive functions of the participants, along with magnetic resonance imaging scans and analysis of biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease.
During the follow-up period, scientists noted that the decline in verbal memory (the ability to remember and recall words and phrases) was significantly slower in the group that took lithium medications, and the effect was more pronounced among participants who showed signs of amyloid-beta accumulation, one of the key markers of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers confirmed that lithium did not help restore memory, but it did show potential to slow its deterioration.
The study also showed that low doses of these drugs are safe and well-tolerated by the elderly when given under medical supervision, and the researchers emphasized that their study was experimental and does not provide conclusive conclusions, but the results are "promising" and require further research and larger clinical trials.
