title: Efficacy of a vitamin/nutriceutical formulation for moderate-stage to later-stage Alzheimer's disease: a placebo-controlled pilot study.
abstract: Recent 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Remington
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paskavitz
authors.forename: Thomas B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Shea
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins