Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Assay for Phosphorylation and Microtubule Binding Along with Localization of Tau Protein in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Published on: October 10, 2017
Effects of lithium on serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Alzheimer's patients with agitation
Deborah A Deliyannides1,2, Jamie A Graff1, Izael Niño1
1Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA.
Background:
There is ample evidence in animal models that lithium increases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) with supporting evidence in human studies. Little is known, however, about the effects of lithium on BDNF in Alzheimer's Dementia (AD). In one study of patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment, serum BDNF increased after treatment with lithium. These patients also showed mild improvement in cognitive function.
Objectives:
To evaluate low-dose lithium treatment of agitation in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Method:
We measured levels of BDNF in patients treated with lithium prior to and after a 12-week randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Results:
BDNF levels did not change significantly and were not associated with improvement in overall neuropsychiatric symptoms or in cognitive function.
Conclusions:
More research is needed to understand the potential effects of lithium on BDNF in AD including whether its use might be dependent on the stage of cognitive decline and dementia.
Related Concept Videos
Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Long-term Depression
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Role of Neurotransmitters in Memory
Glutamate and Synaptic Plasticity
Glutamate, the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter, is...

