Chapter title |
Alpha-lipoic acid as a new treatment option for Alzheimer's disease--a 48 months follow-up analysis.
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Chapter number | 24 |
Book title |
Neuropsychiatric Disorders An Integrative Approach
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Published in |
Journal of neural transmission Supplementum, January 2007
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DOI | 10.1007/978-3-211-73574-9_24 |
Pubmed ID | |
Book ISBNs |
978-3-21-173573-2, 978-3-21-173574-9
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Authors |
K Hager, M Kenklies, J McAfoose, J Engel, G Münch, Hager, K, Kenklies, M, McAfoose, J, Engel, J, Münch, G, K. Hager, M. Kenklies, J. McAfoose, J. Engel, G. Münch, Hager, K., Kenklies, M., McAfoose, J., Engel, J., Münch, G. |
Abstract |
Oxidative stress and neuronal energy depletion are characteristic biochemical hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is therefore conceivable that pro-energetic and antioxidant drugs such as alpha-lipoic acid might delay the onset or slow down the progression of the disease. In a previous study, 600mg alpha-lipoic acid was given daily to nine patients with AD (receiving a standard treatment with choline-esterase inhibitors) in an open-label study over an observation period of 12 months. The treatment led to a stabilization of cognitive functions in the study group, demonstrated by constant scores in two neuropsychological tests (the mini mental state exam, MMSE and the Alzheimer's disease assessment score cognitive subscale, ADAScog). In this report, we have extended the analysis to 43 patients over an observation period of up to 48 months. In patients with mild dementia (ADAScog < 15), the disease progressed extremely slowly (ADAScog: +1.2 points/year, MMSE: -0.6 points/year), in patients with moderate dementia at approximately twice the rate. However, the progression appears dramatically lower than data reported for untreated patients or patients on choline-esterase inhibitors in the second year of long-term studies. Despite the fact that this study was not double-blinded, placebo-controlled and randomized, our data suggest that treatment with alpha-lipoic acid might be a successful 'neuroprotective' therapy option for AD. However, a state-of-the-art phase II trial is needed urgently. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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Unknown | 4 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Members of the public | 3 | 75% |
Scientists | 1 | 25% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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United Kingdom | 3 | 3% |
Australia | 2 | 2% |
Portugal | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 114 | 95% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Student > Master | 18 | 15% |
Student > Bachelor | 17 | 14% |
Researcher | 16 | 13% |
Other | 10 | 8% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 8 | 7% |
Other | 24 | 20% |
Unknown | 27 | 23% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
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Medicine and Dentistry | 24 | 20% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 16 | 13% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 11 | 9% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 9 | 8% |
Psychology | 7 | 6% |
Other | 20 | 17% |
Unknown | 33 | 28% |