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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable degenerative disease. Riluzole can delay disease progression, but its efficacy is limited. Because of lithium’s neuroprotective effects in many animal models, these investigators explored lithium treatment for ALS in a two-part study.
In a mouse model of ALS, lithium delayed disease progression and increased life span, compared with saline. Among other effects, lithium increased motor neuron survival, increased mitochondria in motor neurons, reduced necrosis, and activated autophagy (which decreases neurodegeneration).
The investigators then initiated a 15-month, preliminary, controlled trial of 44 adults with ALS (disease duration, <5 years; 20 men; mean age, 69) who were randomized to rece…