A commonly prescribed and inexpensive medication used to treat bipolar disorder and severe depression may also hold promise for people living with Alzheimer's disease, according to emerging medical research. Scientists say low-dose lithium could help protect brain cells and improve memory, although they stress that larger human studies are still required before the treatment can be recommended.

Previous research published in the journal Nature found that lithium levels in the brains of Alzheimer's patients were lower than those of healthy individuals. This observation prompted researchers to investigate whether restoring lithium levels could help slow the disease's progression.

In laboratory experiments involving mice with Alzheimer's disease, researchers found that administering very small doses of lithium improved memory performance and reduced damage to brain cells. Scientists believe the drug helps preserve neurons responsible for memory and cognitive function while maintaining communication between different regions of the brain.

A recent paper published in Translational Psychiatry recommends conducting more extensive clinical studies to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of low-dose lithium in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Commenting on the findings, Dr. Richard Oakley, Director of Research at the Alzheimer's Society, described the results as encouraging but urged caution. He said the study adds to the growing evidence that lithium may have a role in Alzheimer's treatment, but there is still no conclusive proof that it can prevent or cure dementia.

He added that human clinical trials remain limited, and much larger studies will be necessary before any firm conclusions can be drawn about the drug's benefits for Alzheimer's patients.