Potential Stem Cell Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease with Possible Applications of Lithium Therapy

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, including memory loss, impaired judgment, and changes in behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia and is known to generate pathological changes in the brain, such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles which contribute to the symptoms. This disease affects over 55 million people worldwide and is known to frequently develop around the age of 65 and older. Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings that include periods of mania involving heightened energy, euphoria, and depressive episodes leading to a loss of interest in many activities. These mood shifts can significantly impact the daily life and functioning of the affected person. There are more than 18 million people in the United States affected by this disease, and it is also known to be associated with the later development of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. Lithium has been used as a treatment for bipolar disorder for 60+ years while also being known to show effects decreasing the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders in a variety of patients. Regarding the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, there is no present therapy approved to decrease the rate of development or cure the morbid disease after it has been diagnosed in individuals. Stem cell treatment is currently being studied through animal models to find a way to regenerate the loss of important neurological functions and combat the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Research has shown that lithium induces the proliferation of stem cells, including pluripotential stem cells and is a potent inhibitor of the biochemical process that results in the hyperphosphorlyation of Tau protein that is responsible for neurofibril tangles and neurological dysfunction observed in Alzheimer’s patients.