A review of antioxidants and Alzheimer's disease.
BACKGROUND
In this article, we review a diverse body of research and draw conclusions about the usefulness, or lack there-of, of specific antioxidants in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD).


METHODS
The National Library of Medicine's database was searched for the years 1996-2004 using the search terms "Alzheimer's, anti-oxidants, antioxidants."


RESULTS
Over 300 articles were identified and 187 articles were selected for inclusion based on relevance to the topic. Agents that show promise in helping prevent AD include: 1) aged garlic extract, 2) curcumin, 3) melatonin, 4) resveratrol, 5) Ginkgo biloba extract, 6) green tea, 7) vitamin C and 8) vitamin E.


CONCLUSIONS
While the clinical value of antioxidants for the prevention of AD is often ambiguous, some can be recommended based upon: 1) epidemiological evidence, 2) known benefits for prevention of other maladies, and 3) benign nature of the substance. Long-term, prospective studies are recommended.
Frank
Bradford
B
Department of Psychiatry, University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA. bfrank@eastwestnetwork.com
Gupta
Sanjay
S
D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003373:Coumaric Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D005894:Panax; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000975:Antioxidants; D003373:Coumaric Acids; D014810:Vitamin E; D000108:Acetylcarnitine; D008063:Thioctic Acid; C004999:ferulic acid; D008550:Melatonin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid