Title | Examining the Relationship between Trace Lithium in Drinking Water and the Rising Rates of Age-Adjusted Alzheimer's Disease Mortality in Texas. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2018 |
Authors | Fajardo, VAndrew, Fajardo, VAndrei, LeBlanc, PJ, MacPherson, REK |
Journal | J Alzheimers Dis |
Volume | 61 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 425-434 |
Date Published | 2018 |
ISSN | 1875-8908 |
Keywords | Adult, Age Factors, Alzheimer Disease, Drinking Water, Female, Humans, Lithium, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Obesity, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Statistics as Topic, Texas, Young Adult |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) mortality rates have steadily increased over time. Lithium, the current gold standard treatment for bipolar disorder, can exert neuroprotective effects against AD. OBJECTIVE: We examined the relationship between trace levels of lithium in drinking water and changes in AD mortality across several Texas counties. METHODS: 6,180 water samples from public wells since 2007 were obtained and averaged for 234 of 254 Texas counties. Changes in AD mortality rates were calculated by subtracting aggregated age-adjusted mortality rates obtained between 2000-2006 from those obtained between 2009-2015. Using aggregated rates maximized the number of counties with reliable mortality data. Correlational analyses between average lithium concentrations and changes in AD mortality were performed while also adjusting for gender, race, education, rural living, air pollution, physical inactivity, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: Age-adjusted AD mortality rate was significantly increased over time (+27%, p CONCLUSION: Trace lithium in water is negatively linked with changes in AD mortality, as well as obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are important risk factors for AD. |
DOI | 10.3233/JAD-170744 |
Alternate Journal | J. Alzheimers Dis. |
PubMed ID | 29103043 |