Lithium slashes risk of Parkinson’s disease--study

Lithium, an anti-depressant pill commonly prescribed to treat mood swings, bipolar disorder, and depression may be a new pharmaceutical weapon that could reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, finds a new study.

Severe symptoms of PD, an often disabling condition, can be eased by lithium, results of an animal study show.

Lead author of the study Julie Andersen of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging stated, “This is the first time lithium has been tested in an animal model of Parkinson’s disease.

“The fact that lithium’s safety profile in humans is well understood greatly reduces trial risk and lowers a significant hurdle to getting it into the clinic.

Results of the rodent study
In the rodent trail, genetically engineered mice with PD were fed lithium at low doses.

It was noted that lithium prevented the amassing of toxic proteins and the cell loss which is linked with the incurable degenerative brain disorder.

The researchers are now working towards conducting clinical studies to determine the correct dosage of lithium in combination with standard Parkinson's disease drug therapy in humans.

Anderson stated, “The possibility that lithium could be effective in Parkinson’s disease patients at subclinical levels is exciting, because it would avoid many side effects associated at the higher dose range.

“Overuse of lithium has been linked to hyperthyroidism and kidney toxicity.”

The study has been published online in the 'Journal of Neuroscience Research.'

Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative movement disorder of the central nervous system caused by the death of cells in the brain that secrete the neurotransmitter dopamine.

It is characterized by tremors, rigidity, slow movement, poor balance, and difficulty in walking. Signs of the disease first tend to appear in patients over 50.

The disease is chronic and progressive with symptoms growing steadily worse over time. Though Parkinson’s cannot be cured, drugs and physiotherapy provide relief.

In the later stages, the condition can include cognitive and behavioral disturbance, sleep disorders, lack of appetite, difficulty eating, periods of remaining motionless (known as “freezing”).

According to the National Parkinson Foundation, the disorder affects nearly 60,000 Americans each year.