Alpha-lipoic acid as a new treatment option for Azheimer type dementia

Oxidative stress and energy depletion are characteristic biochemical hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), thus antioxidants with positive effects on glucose metabolism such as thioctic alpha -lipoic) acid should exert positive effects in these patients. Therefore, 600 mg alpha -lipoic acid was given daily to nine patients with AD and related dementias (receiving a standard treatment with acetyluholinesterase inhibitors) in an open study over an observation period of, on avarage, 337 +/- 80 days. The treatment led to a stabilization of cognitive functions in the study group, demonstrated by constant scores in two neuropsychological tests (mini-mental state examination: MMSE and AD assessment scale, cognitive subscale: ADAScog). Despite the fact that this study was small and not randomized, this is the first indication that treatment with alpha -lipoic acid might be a successful 'neuroprotective' therapy option for AD and related dementias. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.