Effects of N-PEP-12 on memory among older adults.
N-PEP-12 is a derivative of cerebrolysin, a brain-derived neuropeptide compound that has been approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in more than 30 countries. N-PEP-12 is much less potent than cerebrolysin but it can be administered orally whereas the parent compound must be administered through multiple intravenous infusions. This study was undertaken to determine whether N-PEP-12 is effective in improving memory and other cognitive abilities among healthy older adults who have experienced 'normal' age-related memory loss. Subjects were 54 males and females, aged 50 years and older, who presented both subjective and objective evidence of memory loss since early adulthood. The study was a fully randomized, double-blind comparison of N-PEP-12 and placebo. Cognitive assessments were performed at baseline and following 30 days of treatment. The primary outcome measure was the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-cog) Memory score, with the Syndrom Kurz Test (SKT) test, digit cancellation, digit span, verbal fluency and clinical ratings as secondary outcomes. N-PEP-12 treated subjects performed better than placebo-treated subjects on the ADAS-cog Memory score, the SKT, clinical ratings and some, but not other tests. N-PEP-12 may be an effective treatment for memory loss in healthy older adults.
Crook
Thomas H
TH
Psychologix, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308, USA. tcrook@psychologix.com
Ferris
Steven H
SH
Alvarez
X Anton
XA
Laredo
Martha
M
Moessler
Herbert
H
D000368:Aged; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000596:Amino Acids; C501962:N-PEP-12; D018697:Nootropic Agents