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Contact Information:

Dr David Cousins
david.cousins@ncl.ac.uk


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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Imaging lithium in Alzheimer's disease
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Imaging lithium in Alzheimer's disease

Not Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Mixed

Newcastle upon Tyne

Medical Conditions

Specialty: Dementia and Neurodegeneration, Primary sub-specialty: Dementia
Health Category: Neurological
Disease/Condition: Other degenerative diseases of the nervous system

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Lithium has long been used as a treatment for mood disorders and evidence suggests that it has neuroprotective effects (it protects the brain from harm), increasing grey matter volume and lowering the risk of dementia. In Alzheimer’s disease, early reports suggest that lithium slows the progression of the condition, even at low doses. Researchers have developed a way of safely measuring the levels of lithium in the brain. This may be very useful in future studies looking to use lithium as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Using this advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, they will measure where lithium goes to in the brain. The lithium images will be combined with standard MRI scans to better understand the effects of lithium on the brain at different doses. This study will also see if these effects differ between healthy people and those with dementia. This will guide the choice of dose for future treatment trials and help understand how easy it is for people with dementia to undergo lithium brain scanning.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

08 Sep 2025 10 Apr 2026

Participants will each take lithium at two different doses for one week per dose (two weeks of taking lithium in total) and have 3 MRI scans, each one week apart.


Adult patients with Alzheimer’s disease and adult healthy volunteers.

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Presence of contraindications to lithium treatment (such as renal failure, epilepsy or psoriasis)2. Presence of contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging (such as pacemakers and other incompatible implants, claustrophobia)3. Current treatment with lithium, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or ACE inhibitors4. Lack of sufficient understanding of the nature of the study and any hazards of participating in it5. Lack of ability to communicate satisfactorily with the investigator and to participate in, and comply with the requirements of, the entire study6. Lack of willingness to give written consent to participate after reading the information and consent forms, and after having the opportunity to discuss the study with the investigator or his delegate7. Lack of capacity to provide informed consent, as judged by an investigator


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • St Nicholas Hospital (newcastle upon Tyne)
    Jubilee Road, Gosforth
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE3 3XT

Benefits: While there are no direct benefits from participating in this research, this study may lead to future trials investigating novel treatments for dementia. People with Alzheimer's disease are often motivated to participate in medical research as they want to contribute to work to improve the lives of people with dementia in future.
- Lithium administration and monitoring: This study involves the administration of low-dose oral lithium to participants in order to assess whether it can be detected after administration in the brain using MRI. Lithium carbonate (Priadel) is generally well tolerated and has been used extensively in the treatment of mood disorders for more than 70 years. Nonetheless, participants will be exposed to a greater risk by taking the medication than they would were they not participating in the study - namely the risk of side effects from short term lithium administration. The majority of side effects from lithium are dose-dependent (and therefore less likely with the doses used in this study) and normally mild, tolerable and transient. The risk of side-effects will be minimized by using as low dose as is feasible. A study physician will review subjects and will assess any occurrence of side effects and offer advice and management if needed. No severe or potentially life-threatening adverse events are expected.
- MRI scan process: MRI scanning does not involve ionising radiation and is generally well tolerated, without side effects. MRI scanning does involve a high magnetic field, which can present risks to people with metallic implants. However, risks are minimal provided that they have no contraindications to MRI as listed in the exclusion criteria. Potential risks associated with metallic implants will be mitigated by administration of MRI safety questionnaires at screening and MRI visits and careful screening assessment. The MRI scanning procedure can be uncomfortable as the scanner is loud and participants need to lie still an extended period. To mitigate these issues, ear defenders will be provided, the participant will be monitored in case they want to leave the scanner, and the scan procedure will be limited to no more than one hour.

Dr David Cousins
david.cousins@ncl.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN18150075

Or CPMS: 67648

Last updated 17 February 2026

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