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Wonder shake cure for Alzheimer's disease?
12 January 2010
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A medical, nutrient supplement drink could improve the memory of people suffering from mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to a new study.
Researchers have studied the effects of the drink on 225 people with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). They randomly assigned each person into one of two groups: the supplement group, who received the drink, or the placebo group, who received a 'dummy' (placebo) drink. The active ingredients in the supplement drink include B vitamins, anti-oxidants and omega 3. The drink is thought to prevent the loss of brain cells and prevent tangles forming in the brain fibres which cause the symptoms of AD. Each person was asked to take the drink once daily, after breakfast.
The researchers took measurements of brain function before the study began and then 12 weeks later at the end of the study. To measure brain function, each person was asked to complete a verbal recall task and assessed using the Alzheimer's Disease Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). ADAS-cog is a scale used to measure memory, language, learning, attention and other cognitive abilities that determine the severity of a person's AD.
After 12 weeks, the researchers found a significant improvement in the verbal recall skills of the people who had the supplement drink, but there was no improvement or deterioration in the placebo group. This suggests that the drink improves the memory of people with AD. However, there was no improvement in the scores of the ADAS-cog scores in either group.
This Danone-sponsored study is interesting, but not conclusive proof that this drink is a miracle memory cure.
Dr Annabel Bentley, assistant medical director for Bupa, commented: "This Danone-sponsored study is interesting, but not conclusive proof that this drink is a miracle memory cure. The next step will be to see if the results can be replicated by other researchers."
Key facts
- AD is the most common cause of dementia.
- AD is a disease of the brain caused by plaques and tangles that lead to the death of brain cells. People with AD also have a shortage of important chemicals involved in transmitting messages within the brain.
- AD affects the signals required for brain activity including memory, language, problem solving and controlling movements.
- As of 2008, there were an estimated 30 million people with dementia worldwide, about half of these cases were caused by AD.
Read the studies
Read the paper: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-01/miot-nat010610.php
Efficacy of a medical food in mild Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, controlled trial . Philip Scheltensa, Patrick J.G.H. Kamphuisb, Frans R.J. Verheyc, et al.Alzheimer's and Dementia. Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2010, Pages 1-10.e1 DOI: 10/1016/j.jalz.2009.10.003