Potential mechanisms underlying lithium treatment for Alzheimer's disease and COVID-19

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Mar;26(6):2201-2214. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202203_28369.

Abstract

Disruption of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis plays an important role as an upstream pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and correction of Ca2+ dysregulation has been increasingly proposed as a target of future effective disease-modified drugs for treating AD. Calcium dysregulation is also an upstream pathology for the COVID-19 virus SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication, leading to host cell damage. Clinically available drugs that can inhibit the disturbed intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis have been repurposed to treat COVID-19 patients. This narrative review aims at exploring the underlying mechanism by which lithium, a first line drug for the treatment of bipolar disorder, inhibits Ca2+ dysregulation and associated downstream pathology in both AD and COVID-19. It is suggested that lithium can be repurposed to treat AD patients, especially those afflicted with COVID-19.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease* / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease* / metabolism
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Humans
  • Lithium / therapeutic use
  • Lithium Compounds / therapeutic use
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Lithium Compounds
  • Lithium