The LATTICE pilot trial randomized 80 adults aged 60+ with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to two years of low-dose lithium carbonate or placebo. While none of the six coprimary outcomes met the prespecified significance threshold, verbal memory (CVLT-II delayed recall) declined at 1.42 points/year in the placebo group versus 0.73 points/year in the lithium group—roughly a 50% slower rate. The trial established feasibility and safety, with no serious adverse events definitively linked to lithium. Exploratory analyses hinted at potentially larger benefits in amyloid-positive participants. The authors conclude this pilot provides crucial effect size estimates to power a definitive confirmatory trial, particularly targeting amyloid-positive MCI.
