Lithium Orotate
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Lithium Orotate (Lithium 2-oxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylate) is a dietary supplement with 7 published peer-reviewed studies involving 620 participants, researched for Mood Support, Neuroprotection, Cognitive Health and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Mood Support
StrongNeuroprotection
ModerateCognitive Health
ModerateAggression & Behaviour
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Mood Support
To assess low-dose lithium orotate on mood and anxiety in adults with mild mood disturbances.
Study Type
Open-label pilot study
Purpose
To assess low-dose lithium orotate on mood and anxiety in adults with mild mood disturbances.
Dose
5 mg/day lithium orotate
Participants
35 adults with mild mood and anxiety symptoms
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Low-dose lithium orotate was associated with significant improvements in HAM-A and PHQ-9 scores. Participants reported improved mood stability and reduced anxiety with minimal side effects.
How They Measured It
Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), PHQ-9, MADRS, self-reported mood diary
To review the evidence for low-dose lithium on mood disorders and neurological conditions.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review the evidence for low-dose lithium on mood disorders and neurological conditions.
Dose
Low-dose lithium (micro-doses to pharmaceutical range)
Participants
Multiple clinical populations
Duration
Various
Results
Low-dose lithium consistently shows mood-stabilising, anti-suicidal, and neuroprotective effects. Lithium orotate may achieve therapeutic brain concentrations at lower doses than lithium carbonate due to enhanced bioavailability.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of clinical studies on low-dose lithium
Neuroprotection
To evaluate lithium on BDNF expression and neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate lithium on BDNF expression and neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
Dose
10 mg/kg lithium chloride (pharmacological study)
Participants
Sprague-Dawley rats
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Lithium significantly increased BDNF expression and hippocampal neurogenesis. Treated animals showed improved spatial memory. These findings support lithium's neuroprotective mechanism via BDNF-mediated pathways.
How They Measured It
BDNF protein expression, hippocampal neurogenesis (BrdU labelling), behavioural tests
To examine the association between natural lithium levels in drinking water and Alzheimer's disease mortality.
Study Type
Epidemiological study
Purpose
To examine the association between natural lithium levels in drinking water and Alzheimer's disease mortality.
Dose
Environmental lithium exposure (µg/L range)
Participants
Population-level analysis across German counties
Duration
Ecological study
Results
Higher natural lithium levels in drinking water were significantly associated with lower Alzheimer's disease mortality rates, suggesting micro-dose lithium may have neuroprotective effects against dementia.
How They Measured It
Regional lithium levels in water supply vs dementia mortality rates
To investigate lithium on GSK-3β inhibition and tau phosphorylation in Alzheimer's model.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate lithium on GSK-3β inhibition and tau phosphorylation in Alzheimer's model.
Dose
2 mEq/kg lithium carbonate
Participants
3xTg-AD transgenic mice
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Lithium significantly inhibited GSK-3β, reduced tau hyperphosphorylation, and improved spatial memory in Alzheimer's model mice. GSK-3β inhibition is a key mechanism underlying lithium's neuroprotective effects.
How They Measured It
GSK-3β activity, tau phosphorylation, cognitive performance (Morris water maze)
Cognitive Health
To assess low-dose lithium supplementation on cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess low-dose lithium supplementation on cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Dose
150 µg/day lithium (micro-dose)
Participants
113 patients with mild cognitive impairment
Duration
15 months
Results
Micro-dose lithium prevented cognitive decline as measured by ADAS-Cog and reduced CSF phospho-tau concentrations compared to placebo. No adverse effects were observed at this ultra-low dose.
How They Measured It
Cognitive battery, ADAS-Cog, plasma phospho-tau levels
Aggression & Behaviour
To examine the association between lithium levels in drinking water and crime/suicide rates.
Study Type
Ecological study
Purpose
To examine the association between lithium levels in drinking water and crime/suicide rates.
Dose
Environmental lithium (trace levels)
Participants
Multiple county/regional populations (US, Japan, Austria)
Duration
Ecological analysis
Results
Multiple studies across different countries found significant inverse associations between lithium levels in drinking water and rates of suicide, homicide, and violent crime, suggesting a population-level mood-modifying effect of trace lithium.
How They Measured It
Regional water lithium levels vs crime, homicide, and suicide rates across populations
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lithium Orotate research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Lithium Orotate (Lithium 2-oxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylate), involving 620 total participants. Research covers Mood support, Neuroprotection, Cognitive health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (5 human studies, 2 animal studies), and reported outcomes.
Lithium Orotate has been researched for: Mood support, Neuroprotection, Cognitive health, Aggression & behaviour. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 5 out of 8 studies are human trials. The remaining 2 are animal studies. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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