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Updated: May 19, 2026

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Published on: January 28, 2012
A randomized clinical trial of lithium in multiple system atrophy
Francesco Saccà1, Angela Marsili, Mario Quarantelli
1Department of Neurological Sciences, University Federico II, Via Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. francesco.sacca@unina.it
Abstract:
The aim of our study was to test the safety and tolerability of lithium in multiple system atrophy (MSA). The study was randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind. The primary endpoint of the study was safety and tolerability. An interim analysis, performed 1 year after the first patient was randomized, showed a higher proportion of trial abandon (P < 0.01) and a higher number of adverse events (P < 0.02) in the lithium group. The trial was stopped by the Data Monitoring Committee. Overall, lithium was not well tolerated, and we do not encourage future studies with lithium in MSA patients.
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