For years, researchers studying lithium have noticed that this element may protect the brain from damage. In 2022 scientists conducted a systematic review and meta analysis of studies about lithium and stroke recovery in both animals and humans.

How the Study Was Done

Researchers searched through thousands of scientific papers to gather evidence. After reviewing 1,625 studies published between 2000 and 2021, they selected 42 studies that met strict quality criteria. Scientists chose 36 animal studies and six human studies. 

What Animal Studies Found

Studies on rats and mice showed promising results:

• Smaller brain damage: In 16 studies, lithium reduced the size of the stroke injury.
  

• Less cell death: 19 out of 22 studies showed that lithium helped prevent brain cells from dying after a stroke.
  

• Brain repair: 12 studies indicated that lithium boosted the growth of new brain cells.
  

• Better behavior and function: Nearly two-thirds of the studies showed improvements in movement and memory.

These benefits were observed in two types of stroke: ischemic, which is caused by blocked blood flow, and hemorrhagic, which is caused by bleeding in the brain.

What Human Studies Say

The human data were less clear.

• Observational studies, which looked back at health records of people with bipolar disorder, found that people on lithium were less likely to have a stroke compared with those who weren’t. One study of over 150,000 patients showed a 29% reduced stroke risk with lithium use.
  

• Clinical trials tested whether lithium helped people recover after a stroke. One study showed some improvement in hand motor skills. Another small study found a possible link between lithium and better memory and brain structure. But these results weren’t strong or consistent enough to draw firm conclusions.

So, Can Lithium Help After a Stroke?

In animals, the answer appears to be yes. Lithium reduced brain damage and improved recovery. But in humans, the evidence is still limited and mixed. Some data suggest it may lower the risk of stroke or slightly help recovery, but we need better-designed studies to know for sure.