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Efficacy of a vitamin/nutriceutical formulation for moderate-stage to later-stage Alzheimer's disease: a placebo-controlled pilot study.

AbstractRecent studies demonstrated efficacy of a vitamin/ nutriceutical formulation (folate, vitamin B12, alpha-tocopherol, S-adenosyl methionine, N-acetyl cysteine, and acetyl-L-carnitine) for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Herein, we tested the efficacy of this formulation in a small cohort of 12 institutionalized patients diagnosed with moderate-stage to later-stage Alzheimer's disease. Participants were randomly separated into treatment of placebo groups. Participants receiving the formulation demonstrated a clinically significant delay in decline in the Dementia Rating Scale and clock-drawing test as compared to those receiving placebo. Institutional caregivers reported approximately 30% improvement in the Neuropyschiatric Inventory and maintenance of performance in the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living for more than 9 months. This formulation holds promise for delaying the decline in cognition, mood, and daily function that accompanies the progression of Alzheimer's disease, and may be particularly useful as a supplement for pharmacological approaches during later stages of this disorder. A larger trial is warranted.
AuthorsRuth Remington, Amy Chan, James Paskavitz, Thomas B Shea (Affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA.)
JournalAmerican journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen) 2009 Feb-Mar Vol. 24 Issue 1 Pg. 27-33 ISSN: 1533-3175 [Print] United States
PMID19056706 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Vitamins
Topics
  • Activities of Daily Living (psychology)
  • Affect (drug effects)
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology)
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
  • Cognition (drug effects)
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Pilot Projects
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamins (therapeutic use)