Low Dose Lithium Treatment of Behavioral Complications in Alzheimer's Disease: Lit-AD Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A case series suggested efficacy for lithium to treat agitation in dementia, but no placebo-controlled trials have been conducted.

Objectives

To evaluate low-dose lithium treatment of agitation in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Method

In a four-site trial, patients with AD and agitation/aggression score ≥4 on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were randomized, double-blind, to lithium carbonate 150-600 mg daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Primary efficacy outcome was change in NPI agitation/aggression; secondary efficacy outcome was treatment response (30% reduction in NPI score for agitation/aggression plus psychosis and a Clinical Global Impression (CGI) score of much or very much improved). Safety profile of lithium was assessed.

Results

Fifty-eight of

SUBMITTER: Devanand DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8586042 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature