The brains of people with AD have abnormal protein deposits called amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Despite much progress in understanding AD, there is still uncertainty about how the disease develops. Previous research has found that the balance of metals in the brain may play a role, but the nature of this role has been unclear.
A research team led by Dr. Bruce Yankner at Harvard Medical School set out to explore how metal ions—charged atoms of metals—might affect brain function and AD. The researchers first looked at whether metals in the brain differed in those who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD. In MCI, which precedes AD, people have more difficulty thinking, remembering, and reasoning than normal for people their age.
The scientists analyzed post-mortem brain samples to quantify 27 metals in certain parts of the brain. They compared levels from dozens of people with AD, with MCI, and with no cognitive impairment. The results were published in Nature on August 6, 2025.
The team found significantly lower levels of naturally occurring lithium in the prefrontal cortex of people with MCI and AD. The prefrontal cortex, which controls memory and decision-making, is prominently affected in AD. None of the other metals were significantly altered in people with MCI.
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https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lithium-levels-tied-alzheimers-disease-dementia