title: Souvenaid reduces behavioral deficits and improves social cognition skills in frontotemporal dementia: a proof-of-concept study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Souvenaid™ is a nutraceutical compound thought to positively enhance synaptic function. In line with this mechanism of action, Souvenaid™ has been shown to improve cognitive function in subjects with mild Alzheimer's disease in randomized clinical trials. To date, however, the potential of Souvenaid™ to improve cognitive functioning in subjects with other neurodegenerative conditions also characterized by synaptic loss has not been explored.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of Souvenaid™ on executive functions, social cognition and behavioral disturbances in subjects with the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bv-FTD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six subjects with bv-FTD were enrolled in the study and randomized to Souvenaid™ (125 ml/day) or placebo groups. After 12 weeks, subjects were switched between the two groups. All subjects, blinded to treatment, underwent clinical and cognitive evaluations at enrollment, after 12 weeks and after 24 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with Souvenaid™ was associated with a significant reduction of behavioral symptoms and an increase in Theory of Mind skills compared to placebo, which both returned to baseline when Souvenaid™ was discontinued. Souvenaid™ did not have an effect on executive functions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results provide evidence of the potential of Souvenaid™ therapy for the treatment of behavioral disturbances and social cognition skills in FTD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pardini
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Serrati
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mattei
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abate
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Massucco
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sassos
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amore
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cocito
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Emberti Gialloreti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002794:Choline / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057180:Frontotemporal Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D066107:Social Skills; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014542:Uridine Monophosphate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D005492:Folic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D014542:Uridine Monophosphate; D012643:Selenium; D002794:Choline