title: Homotaurine Effects on Hippocampal Volume Loss and Episodic Memory in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment.
abstract: Homotaurine supplementation may have a positive effect on early Alzheimer's disease. Here, we investigated its potential neuroprotective effect on the hippocampus structure and episodic memory performances in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Neuropsychological, clinical, and neuroimaging assessment in 11 treated and 22 untreated patients were performed at baseline and after 1 year. Magnetic resonance data were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry to explore significant differences (Family Wise Error corrected) between the two groups over time. Patients treated with homotaurine showed decreased volume loss in the left and right hippocampal tail, left and right fusiform gyrus, and right inferior temporal cortex which was associated with improved short-term episodic memory performance as measured by the recency effect of the Rey 15-word list learning test immediate recall. Thus, homotaurine supplementation in individuals with aMCI has a positive effect on hippocampus atrophy and episodic memory loss. Future studies should further clarify the mechanisms of its effects on brain morphometry.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spalletta
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cravello
authors.affiliation: Policlinico Umberto I, II Clinica Medica, Sapienza Università, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gianni
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iorio
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cacciari
authors.affiliation: San Giovanni Hospital, Department of Neurology, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Rosa
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Casini
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiapponi
authors.affiliation: Tor Vergata University, Department of Medicine of Systems, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sancesario
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fratangeli
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Donata
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Orfei
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, Rome, Italy.|Tor Vergata University, Department of Medicine of Systems, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caltagirone
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, Rome, Italy.|Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro di Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piras
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D013654:Taurine; C001355:tramiprosate
keywords: Amnestic mild cognitive impairment; episodic memory; hippocampus; homotaurine; structural magnetic resonance imaging; tramiprosate