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Benefits for Alzheimer's
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that destroys
cells in the brain. It is the leading cause of dementia, a condition that involves
gradual memory loss, decline in the ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation,
difficulty in learning, loss of language skills, impairment of judgment, and personality
changes. The rate of progression of Alzheimer’s varies from person to person.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Alpha Lipoic Acid
Excessive
free radicals within our bodies cause a condition known as “oxidative stress”.
Oxidative stress and energy depletion are characteristic biochemical hallmarks
of Alzheimer's disease (AD), thus antioxidants with positive effects on glucose
metabolism such as thiotic (alpha-lipoic) acid should exert positive effects in
Alzheimer's patients. Due to this, a study was conducted in which 600 mg alpha-lipoic
acid was given daily to nine Alzheimer's patients with Alzheimer's disease and
related dementias in an open study over an observation period of, on average,
337+/-80 days. The treatment led to a stabilization of cognitive functions in
the Alzheimer's study group, demonstrated by constant scores in two neuropsychological
tests.
Despite the fact that this study was small and not randomized,
this is the first indication that treatment with alpha-lipoic acid might be a
successful 'neuroprotective' therapy option for Alzheimer's Disease and related
dementias. Antioxidant Home: Alpha
Lipoic Acid (ALA) Hager K, Marahrens A, Kenklies
M, Riederer P, Munch G. - Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Geriatrics,
Henriettenstiftung, Schwemannstrasse 19, D-30559, Hannover, Germany.
PMID:
11395173 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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