Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia represent the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., and the only one among the top ten that lacks a curative or effective pharmaceutical intervention. Despite decades of rigorous research, viable treatment solutions for AD have remained elusive. However, a growing body of research offers hope, suggesting that an integrative and systems biology approach can unveil novel therapeutic strategies. AD, with its complex etiology, benefits from a systems biology approach for treatment and prevention, revealing modifiable therapeutic targets in early stages. Lithium, long established as a gold-standard treatment for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, has emerged as a promising intervention for AD, dementia, and cognitive decline. Research highlights lithium’s neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties through mechanisms including cytokine modulation, microglial suppression, GSK3 inhibition, and increased BDNF expression and activity, alongside its established mood-stabilizing and anti-suicide benefits. This lecture will review the pathogenesis of AD from a systems biology framework, and explore biochemical abnormalities correlated with symptomatic presentations. It will review research on the efficacy of low-dose lithium and its anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic, and neuroprotective mechanisms. Evidence-based recommendations for the use of low-dose lithium as part of a preventative approach will be presented, providing attendees with clinical pearls that may be incorporated.
Learning Objective #1: Explain the benefits of a proactive approach to Alzheimer’s treatment, emphasizing modifiable risk factors in the prodromal stages.
Learning Objective #2: Identify at least two biological mechanisms through which lithium provides neuroprotection.
Learning Objective #3: Discuss the limitations of lithium carbonate and the evidence-based advantages of lithium orotate for Alzheimer’s prevention or treatment.
Dr. James Greenblatt is a nationally recognized leader in the field of Functional and Integrative Psychiatry. Since 1988, he has been at the forefront of transforming mental health care, pioneering evidence-based approaches that emphasize personalized treatment to address the root causes of mental illness. A distinguished expert, educator, and best-selling author, Dr. Greenblatt has shared his insights globally, lecturing on the scientific foundations of nutritional interventions in psychiatric care. With over three decades of clinical practice and research, Dr. Greenblatt has become a prominent voice advocating for the integration of personalized medicine in mental health treatment. He is the Founder and Medical Director of Psychiatry Redefined, a leading continuing education platform that offers comprehensive training, fellowships, and courses in functional and integrative mental health care. Dr. Greenblatt’s commitment to advancing the field is further evidenced by his authorship of eight bestselling books, including Finally Focused: The Breakthrough Natural Treatment Plan for ADHD. His forthcoming book, Finally Happy, which focuses on depression, is set to be released in early 2025.
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