Could a common mood drug slow Parkinson's? early trial hints at possibility
NCT ID NCT06099886
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase study tested whether low-dose lithium aspartate (30-45 mg/day) could slow Parkinson's disease in 15 people diagnosed within the last 4 years. Researchers measured changes in brain scans and blood markers linked to disease progression. The goal was to see if lithium is safe and worth testing in larger trials, not to cure the disease.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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15 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2023
- Finished
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Apr 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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45 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Have PD for \<4 years diagnosed by a movement disorder specialist. Have normal thyroid and renal function at the screening visit. Have no previous exposure to lithium therapy. Have no history of brain surgery. Have no hx of brain imaging findings suggesting another neurological condition besides PD. Have no use of tobacco or THC products for \>1 year. Have stable PD medications for \>30 days without current need for adjustments in the investigator's opinion. Have stable psychiatric and diuretic medications for \>60 days with no anticipated need for changes for at least 24 weeks. Have no active medical or psychiatric condition that may interfere with study procedures in the investigator's opinion. Exclusion Criteria: Have PD for \>4 years or does not have PD. Have abnormal normal thyroid and renal function at the screening visit. Have previous exposure to lithium therapy. Have history of brain surgery. Have hx of brain imaging findings suggesting another neurological condition besides PD. Have use of tobacco or THC products within the past year. Have PD medication adjustments within 30 days or needs PD medication adjustments in the investigator's opinion. Have psychiatric or diuretic medication adjustments within the last 60 days or is anticipated to need changes over next 24 weeks. Have active medical or psychiatric condition that may interfere with study procedures in the investigator's opinion.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University at Buffalo
Williamsville, New York, 14221, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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