title: Nutraceuticals in cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Several chemical substances belonging to classes of natural dietary origin display protective properties against some age-related diseases including neurodegenerative ones, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). These compounds, known as nutraceuticals, differ structurally, act therefore at different biochemical and metabolic levels and have shown different types of neuroprotective properties. The aim of this review is to summarize data from observational studies, clinical trials, and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in humans on the effects of selected nutraceuticals against age-related cognitive impairment and dementia. We report results from studies on flavonoids, some vitamins and other natural substances that have been studied in AD and that might be beneficial for the maintenance of a good cognitive performance. Due to the substantial lack of high-level evidence studies there is no possibility for recommendation of nutraceuticals in dementia-related therapeutic guidelines. Nevertheless, the strong potential for their neuroprotective action warrants further studies in the field.
authors.affiliation: Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mecocci
authors.affiliation: Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tinarelli
authors.affiliation: Geriatrics Department, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.affiliation: Geriatrics Department, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Polidori
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; cognitive impairment; dementia; dietary natural substances; neurodegeneration; neuroprotection; nutraceuticals