Lipoic Acid Benefits Alzheimer's Patients
Lipoic Acid Benefits Alzheimer's Patients
According to a study in the Archives of
Gerontology and Geriatrics, alpha-lipoic acid may be an
important neuroprotective nutrient in Alzheimers patients.
The researchers theorized that since oxidative stress and energy
depletion characterize Alzheimers disease, antioxidants that can
positively affect glucose metabolism such as alpha-lipoic acid
should benefit anyone with this disease. To test their
hypothesis, the scientists gave 600 mg lipoic acid daily to nine
patients with Alzheimers or related dementias who were also
receiving a standard drug treatment with acetylcholinesterase
inhibitors. The open study, conducted over an average of 337±80
days, demonstrated that cognitive functions stabilized in the
lipoic-acid group. The patients receiving lipoic acid achieved
constant scores in two neuropsychological tests.
Despite the fact that this study was small and not randomized,
the study authors wrote, this is the first indication that
treatment with lipoic acid might be a successful neuroprotective
therapy option for AD and related dementias.
Reference:
Klaus Hagera, Andres Marahrensa, Marlene Kenkliesa, Peter
Riedererb, Gerald Münchc. Alpha-lipoic acid as a new treatment
option for Alzheimer type dementia. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2001
June; 32(3): 275 - 82.
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