The Promise of Lithium for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and MS
Wed Feb 04 2026
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About this episode:
In this thought-provoking conversation, Ann Louise Gittleman sits down with neurologist Dr. Thomas Guttuso, Jr., author of The Promise of Lithium, to explore the emerging role of carefully dosed lithium in neurodegenerative disease. Why is Parkinson’s now the fastest-growing neurological disease? Dr. Guttuso explains what’s driving the surge, how Parkinson’s differs from Parkinsonism, and why men are diagnosed more often than women. He also introduces what he calls the brain’s “Bermuda Triangle” — a vulnerable region tied to progressive neuron loss — and shares insight into a promising blood marker, neurofilament light (NFL), that may help track early damage. From there, the conversation turns to why dose and form are everything when it comes to lithium — and how the small amounts he uses clinically differ dramatically from the psychiatric doses most people associate with the mineral. He also addresses timing, prevention, L-Dopa, and whether early support could change the trajectory of these conditions. If you’re concerned about Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, MS, or simply protecting long-term brain health, this interview offers a grounded and science-driven perspective on a mineral that may hold broader implications than many realize. Check out Dr. Guttoso’s book at https://amzn.to/3YUgv4p and the form of lithium he recommends at https://amzn.to/4k7xDxE.
The post The Promise of Lithium for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and MS first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.
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Listen Online: About this episode: In this thought-provoking conversation, Ann Louise Gittleman sits down with neurologist Dr. Thomas Guttuso, Jr., author of The Promise of Lithium, to explore the emerging role of carefully dosed lithium in neurodegenerative disease. Why is Parkinson’s now the fastest-growing neurological disease? Dr. Guttuso explains what’s driving the surge, how Parkinson’s differs from Parkinsonism, and why men are diagnosed more often than women. He also introduces what he calls the brain’s “Bermuda Triangle” — a vulnerable region tied to progressive neuron loss — and shares insight into a promising blood marker, neurofilament light (NFL), that may help track early damage. From there, the conversation turns to why dose and form are everything when it comes to lithium — and how the small amounts he uses clinically differ dramatically from the psychiatric doses most people associate with the mineral. He also addresses timing, prevention, L-Dopa, and whether early support could change the trajectory of these conditions. If you’re concerned about Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, MS, or simply protecting long-term brain health, this interview offers a grounded and science-driven perspective on a mineral that may hold broader implications than many realize. Check out Dr. Guttoso’s book at https://amzn.to/3YUgv4p and the form of lithium he recommends at https://amzn.to/4k7xDxE. The post The Promise of Lithium for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and MS first appeared on Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.