Positive Health Online

Abstract

GRUNDMAN, Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative study, 9500 Gilman Drive 0949, La Jolla CA 92093-0949 USA. mgrundman@ucsd.edu writes that a considerable amount of evidence suggests that oxidative stress is important in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease . Of particular importance is beta-amyloid, found abundantly in the brains of Alzheimer disease patients, and is toxic in neuronal cell cultures via a mechanism involving free radicals. Vitamin E prevents the oxidative damage induced by beta-amyloid in cell culture and delays memory deficits in animal models. The authors review the literature (94 references) and conducted a placebo-controlled clinical trial to study the effects of Vitamin E in patients with moderately advanced Alzheimer's disease .

Background

Methodology

Participants in the vitamin E group were treated with 2000 IU (1342 alpha-tocopherol equivalents) vitamin E per day.

Results

Vitamin E may slow functional deterioration leading to nursing home placement. A new clinical trial is planned to examine whether vitamin E may delay or prevent a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in elderly persons with mild cognitive impairment.

Conclusion

References

Grundman M. Vitamin E and Alzheimer disease: the basis for additional clinical trials. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 71(2): 630S-636S. Feb 2000.

Comment

Because of the prevalence and severity of conditions such as Alzheimer disease, research progress with supplements such as vitamin E should only be encouraged and applauded. As vitamin E already has a long history of clinical efficacy in the prevention and treatment of heart disease (see Jeffrey Bland, Issue 51), and a considerable role in the prevention of certain cancers (see Research Updates, www.positivehealth.com), I look forward to seeing the results of such further research.