Research in Progress

Drug Development

Lithium Treatment Protects Nerve Cells in HD Rats

A chemical called quinolinic acid (QA), when injected into the striatum of the brains of rats with HD and combined with injections below the skin of another chemical called lithium chloride, reduces the loss of nerve cells and triggers neurogenesis (the production of new nerve cells). The striatum helps control movement, balance, and walking. The nerve cells in this part of the brain -the striatal nerve cells- are damaged by HD, but the lithium study has shown that nerve cell protection and regeneration is possible in rat models. Researchers found a significant number of new striatal nerve cells at the lithium-treated part of the striatum where QA had been injected.

For more specific details, please view the abstract on PubMed.

Last Modified: 04/12/2007

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