Clinical trial NCT02213614: Lithium Water in Gun Violence Prevention
Official title: Lithium Water Use in Gun Violence Prevention
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: UNKNOWN
Phase: NA
Conditions: Assault by Handgun Discharge
Violence
Homicide
Sexual Assault by Bodily Force
Substance Abuse Problem
Lead sponsor: American Society Of Thermalism And Climatology Inc
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2014-08-11
Enrollment: 400
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 14
Maximum age (years): 60
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: The word lithium frequently conjures images of catatonic psychiatric patients and side effects so severe that premature death is commonplace. But naturally occurring lithium is a far cry from pharmaceutical grades. Found in the soil, water and certain foods, it is an essential mineral for maintaining physical and mental health. When exposure is low, suicide rates, mental illness and violent crime increase

Detailed description: Lithium has a long history of use in the treatment of mental disorders. However, it hasn't been until recently that scientists began exploring the psychiatric implications of naturally occurring lithium in the water supply.

As stated in the article, Foods Rich in Lithium And Lithium Supplements:

"Research suggests that locations with the highest concentration of lithium tend to have the lowest rates of depression and violent crime. These studies have been conducted across the globe in different climates with different natural habits and diets. Researchers have therefore concluded that this phenomenon is fairly universal."

A study in the United States agrees with these findings. According to Everything Addiction:

"In a 1990 study of 27 Texas counties, researchers found an "inverse association of tap water lithium content in areas of Texas with the rates of mental hospital admissions, suicides, homicides, and certain other crimes." It was also discovered that young men incarcerated for violent crimes in some parts of Texas had disproportionately low lithium levels. Schrauzer and Shrestha discovered that the negative correlation was confirmed," especially in the south-central region of the state where high suicide mortality rates correspond to low lithium concentrations."'

Another study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry had similar results. Researchers at Oita University examined the suicide rates in Japan's Oita prefecture. The team discovered that cities with higher levels of natural lithium in the public water supply had lower rates of suicide overall.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Men and women aged 14-60.
* Existence of alcoholism, substance abuse, violence antecedent, suicide history Answered all questions in the pre-treatment safety questionnaire. Gave their oral and written consent to participate in the trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients with renal failure, cardiovascular insufficiency, Addison's disease and untreated hypothyroidism.

Pregnancy. Patients who have vomiting or diarrhea or if fluid or salt (sodium) intake is increased or decreased.

Inadequate communication with examiner. Participation in another clinical study, either concurrent with this trial or in the 3 months preceding it.

Inability to sign a consent form.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change behavioral tendencies due to lithium water treatment
timeFrame: 1 year
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Newark
country: United States
facility: Gaviota Clinic
state: New Jersey
Study officials:
affiliation: American Society of Thermalism and Climatology
name: Garis Silega
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: American Society of Thermalism and Climatology
name: Garis Silega, Doctor
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References: