---
title: "Psych News Alert: Lithium May Be Neuroprotective"
description: The element lithium may be neuroprotective in individuals with bipolar disorder, a study published in the May issue of Bipolar Disorders sug...
image: https://alert.psychnews.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/lithium%20atom_51528967-Jun-24-2025-07-14-20-3103-PM.jpg
---

 5/14/12 12:00 AM

# Lithium May Be Neuroprotective

![Picture of Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Psych%20News%20Email%20Banners/PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png?width=50&name=PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png) [ Psychiatric News Alert ](https://alert.psychnews.org/author/psychiatric-news-alert)

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The element lithium may be neuroprotective in individuals with bipolar disorder, a study published in the May issue of *Bipolar Disorders *suggests. Fuctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to visualize and compare the brains of subjects with bipolar disorder who were being treated with lithium, the brains of subjects with bipolar disorder who were not taking lithium, and the brains of healthy controls. Results showed that there was no significant difference in hippocampal volume between bipolar subjects who were getting lithium and the controls. But bipolar subjects who were not getting lithium had a smaller left hippocampus.

Lithium's beneficial effects may not be limited to people with bipolar disorder though. Two other studies have found that lithium in drinking water may be able to protect some people against suicide. For more information about these studies, see *[Psychiatric News](http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/newsArticle.aspx?articleid=115800).*

(Image: Boris 15/Shutterstock.com)

 

[suicide](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/suicide), [bipolar disorder](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/bipolar-disorder), [lithium](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/lithium)

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[bipolar disorder](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/bipolar-disorder), [lithium](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/lithium), [causes of depression and suicide in youth](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/causes-of-depression-and-suicide-in-youth)

## [Lithium Boosts Clock Rhythms](https://alert.psychnews.org/2012/03/lithium-boosts-clock-rhythms.html)

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[pediatrics](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/pediatrics), [bipolar disorder](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/bipolar-disorder), [psychopharmacology](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/psychopharmacology)

## [Asenapine Found to Be Safe, Effective in Youth With Manic or Mixed Episode of Bipolar I Disorder](https://alert.psychnews.org/2015/11/asenapine-found-to-be-safe-effective-in.html)

![Picture of Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Psych%20News%20Email%20Banners/PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png?width=50&name=PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png) [Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/author/psychiatric-news-alert) 

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[depression](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/depression), [bipolar disorder](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/bipolar-disorder), [lithium](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/lithium), [antipsychotics](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/antipsychotics), [hospitalizations](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/hospitalizations), [Journal of Affective Disorders](https://alert.psychnews.org/tag/journal-of-affective-disorders)

## [Lithium May Reduce Psychiatric Hospitalizations in People With Bipolar, Major Depressive Disorder](https://alert.psychnews.org/2023/08/lithium-may-reduce-psychiatric.html)

![Picture of Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Psych%20News%20Email%20Banners/PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png?width=50&name=PN-Blue-Box_rgb.png) [Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/author/psychiatric-news-alert) 

 8/11/23 12:00 AM

[ Read more ](https://alert.psychnews.org/2023/08/lithium-may-reduce-psychiatric.html)

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