Researchers at the Ultrastructural Research Laboratory, part of the Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology within the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, observed a notable effect. They found that lithium carbonate, detected in the brains of laboratory animals with tumor growth, can prevent the onset of anxiety and depression in these animals. This discovery was communicated by the institute’s press service to socialbites.ca.
Depression often accompanies cancer and is a frequent complication for patients. Scientific literature indicates that roughly one in ten cancer patients experiences depressive symptoms. The origin of this mood disturbance is not solely tied to emotional stress. Tumors release a range of biologically active substances, including cytokines, which influence the structure and function of neurons. This interference can damage nerve cells and disrupt cognitive processes, contributing to depressive symptoms.
In the study, researchers observed a reduced expression of the neurotrophic factor BDNF in the brains of laboratory mice bearing cancer. BDNF is crucial for the survival and proper functioning of neurons. The cancer-bearing animals also showed a lower density of synaptic vesicles and synapses, the sites where nerve impulses are transmitted. Behavioral testing revealed that as the tumors progressed, the animals exhibited reduced mobility and increased passivity, alongside behaviors associated with anxiety and depression.
When lithium carbonate was administered, the behavioral abnormalities improved and the neuronal structure in the prefrontal cortex showed signs of restoration. The treatment also activated autophagy, the cellular process responsible for clearing debris inside neurons, which may aid neuronal health during cancer progression.
Further observations indicated that exposure to lithium carbonate in the cerebral cortex of the animals led to an increase in interneuron synapses and a rise in neurotrophic factors such as BDNF and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4. These changes suggest a protective environment for neural networks and a potential dampening of inflammatory processes within the brain.
The authors of the study suggest that these findings could underpin the development of neuroprotective treatment strategies aimed at preventing brain cell damage and alleviating depressive symptoms in cancer patients. Lithium medications are already used to treat manic phases of bipolar disorder, but long-term or high-dose usage can pose risks to kidney function if the active substance accumulates in the body.
As a potential alternative, researchers are exploring the possibility of creating a drug based on lithium citrate. Lithium citrate is noted for lower toxicity compared with lithium carbonate and for better absorption by the body, which could offer a safer option for patients while maintaining therapeutic benefits.
There is also a broader context in which this line of investigation sits, touching on bipolar disorder symptoms that Russians have long discussed in medical literature and clinical practice. The current work adds to a growing body of evidence that minerals and trace elements can influence brain health in the context of cancer. The researchers emphasize that further studies are needed to translate these findings from animal models to human medicine and to determine appropriate dosing, safety, and efficacy in clinical settings. Attribution for these insights comes from the institute’s communications, reflective of ongoing collaborations across neurobiology, oncology, and pharmacology.