Lithium Grows New Brain Cells
From ScienceDaily
U.S. neuroscientists have shown lithium increases the amount of gray matter in the brains of patients suffering from bipolar disorder.
UCLA professors Carrie Bearden and Paul Thompson used three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging to map the entire surface of the brain in people diagnosed with bipolar illness — an illness marked by alternating episodes of mania and depression.
When the researchers compared the brains of bipolar patients on lithium with those of people without the disorder and those of bipolar patients not on lithium, they found the volume of gray matter in the brains of those on lithium was as much as 15 percent higher in areas that are critical for attention and controlling emotions.
The neurobiological underpinnings of bipolar disorder are not well understood. Nor is it understood how lithium — long the standard treatment for the illness — works in controlling the severe mood swings.
The findings suggest lithium might work by increasing the amount of gray matter in particular brain areas that might be underused or dysfunctional.
The research is featured in the July issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry and is currently available online.
Comments
April 19th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
what do you think of the administration of lithium in people not diagnosed with a bipolar disorder, jf. j.v.wright who uses low amounts of lithium as a general supplement.
April 19th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Actually, this is not the first citation showing growth of brain cells from lithium. I have used it in Alzheimer’s patients for just this reason.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
1. What about as a supplement to otherwise healthy individuals (with or without minor neurological issues)?
April 21st, 2007 at 6:49 am
Actually, DHA has been shown to act in the same way. That is, it increases the production of BDNF which in turn stimulates neuronal growth. DHA and BDNF
May 31st, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Does Lithium orotate improve grey matter in healthy individuals? The dose that has been used?
June 1st, 2007 at 4:00 am
Take a look at this site: http://www.raysahelian.com/lithium.html
June 19th, 2007 at 5:36 am
Anti-depressants and the supplement Sam-E have been shown to increase and allow repair of dendrites in depressed patients. It seems that this is due to the effect they have generally on brain physiology, the reduction of the other symptoms involved such as panic and constant worry and fear that allows the brain to recover both physicaly with the corresponding emotional recovery.
August 9th, 2007 at 9:28 am
I want to order your Brain Sustain: can you also recommend something natural and that works for sexual dysfunction? I didn’t have any noticable change with Dr. Sahelian’s supplements though. thanks
August 12th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
I was diagnosed as having bipolar disease in 2001. Through much experimentation from my psychiatrist, I am relatively stable with mild mood swings. I take lithium and effexor XR. Both affect metabolism. Since 2001, I ve gained 70 pounds (Now weigh 284) Any suggestions for weight loss without changing these effective Rxs. Many thanks. Doc
December 28th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Question regarding the chart for vaccines in your book. Several of the shots you have listed for the 2nd month. Can the baby get the 2nd month shots in the same visit or spread out during the second month?
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