Would Adding Low Doses of Lithium Salts and/or Prebiotic Fibre Interventions to an Effective Exercise Protocol Further Enhance Retention of Cognitive Integrity? Potential for Preventing Loss of Cognition with Aging Using Combinations of Low Cost Regimens

Abstract

It is clear that loss of cognition is becoming epidemic in our aging society. Onset of dementia and diseases such as Alzheimer’s are very prevalent and the prognosis is not optimistic that numbers will decrease in the coming decades. Thus, this epidemic is impacting the quality of life of a large number of people, primarily females, as well as the health care systems of many countries. Of relevance is the fact that large clinical trials of candidate drugs to treat these conditions have not been overwhelming successes, indicating that we may need to take new directions or focus on prevention. One conservative approach in this regard has been the use of exercise protocols to both retain cognition and inhibit progression of loss. With the optimization of exercise protocols, it may be time to step back and ask “how can these successes be augmented to further inhibit risk and stabilize loss early in the development of these conditions?” An example of how this could be approached is via supplementation with low doses of minerals such as lithium salts, or supplementation of the diet with prebiotics in patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Regarding the former, recent epidemiological studies have indicated that the content of Li in the drinking water is associated with lower incidences of cognitive diseases/conditions. While not definitive, such clues may warrant performing controlled studies using low doses of lithium salts plus exercise to further optimize impact on retention of cognition in those at risk, or those with early disease. Similarly, patients with obesity are at higher risk to develop dementia, and prebiotics can correct some of the metabolic derangements associated with the microbiome in such patients to impact risk. Thus, multiple low cost interventions plus exercise could further enhance retention of cognitive integrity in specific populations.