In recent years the focus in Alzheimer’s research has shifted, largely due to the fact that most of the drug trials aimed at arresting Alzheimer’s have failed. Therefore the focus has now shifted to earlier interventions and hopefully prevention. As Jason Hassenstab, MD, an assistant professor of neurology and psychology at WashingtonUniversity in St. Louis noted. “There’s a major push to diagnose well before people have symptoms. Once people start showing symptoms, trying to treat the disease at that point may be too late.” At least that is the case if you are limited to using only traditional drug approaches. (See below for more options).
Many doctors, however, are now prescribing the few Alzheimer’s meds we do have to those with mild cognitive/memory impairment (MCI), as we know that approximately 40% of those will go on to develop Alzheimer’s or some other type of dementia. A recent study however, suggests problems with this approach.
A systematic review of randomized trials examining the safety and efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine (i.e.Aricept & Namenda) in MCI patients showed no significant impact on cognition and higher risk for side effects compared with placebo.
In other words, according to the lead researcher Sharon Straus, MD, at the University of Toronto in Canada: “Our results do not support the use of cognitive enhancers for patients with mild cognitive impairment. These agents were not associated with any benefit and led to an increase in harms,…” The study was published online September 16 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Actually this is what the FDA and Medicare have been saying for years. Alzheimer’s drugs should not be used for individuals who do not have this disorder. It’s generally a waste of money.
So where does that leave us? Well a bit up the creek without a paddle, unless one understands the value of good nutrition or has seen some of the latest research in this area.
You may recall the Oxford study in which they gave people with MCI a food supplement, a tiny pill containing folic acid, B-6 and B-12 and as a result: At the end of the 24-month study period, the investigators found the B vitamin supplement cut the amount of brain shrinkage by 30%, on average. In those with the highest baseline homocysteine levels (and presumably at greatest risk), it halved the shrinkage.(1) In one case, supplementation cut brain shrinkage five-fold!
People receiving the vitamins also did best on the memory tests and in some cases, their ability to recall lists was as good at the end of the trial, if not better than it was at the start, signaling there was no further decline over the 2 year period. The authors noted “this impactful treatment cost just 10 pence a day!”
In the Cache County Seniors Memory Study conducted by Utah State and Duke University in the early 90’s (in my home county) they found those who had the highest intake of the antioxidants C & E had a 74% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s, than those who had the lowest intake of antioxidants.(2) So it would appear that antioxidants might be a good thing to try for someone with MCI.
Several studies both in the US and abroad have shown that acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR), derived from the essential amino acid (protein) L-carnitine, is also effective in “reversing” age related cognitive decline (MCI).
A review of related clinical studies nearly 20 years ago showed that ALCAR could slow the natural course of AD. Two 2003 studies showed Alzheimer’s patients who took high amounts reported improvements in memory compared to patients receiving placebo.(3) This finding was later replicated in an Italian study.(4) Another placebo-controlled, double-blind study with younger AD subjects, conducted at Stanford University concluded, “Acetyl-L-carnitine slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in younger subjects.”(5) But in another more relevant study for MCI reported in 2006 ALCAR reversed age-related decline in the number of receptors present on the surface of nerve cells in the brain.(6) This is very significant, since a loss of receptors is believed to be a significant cause of decreased function in MCI and Alzheimer’s patients.
SAMe is by definition a “natural” endogenous gamma secretase inhibitor. Gamma secretase is a tiny protein that cleaves other proteins resulting in the beta amyloid plaque of Alzheimer’s. There has been a lot of money spent on drugs to stop that action from occurring. But apparently SAMe does that quite effectively naturally(7). SAMe also help the body produce acetylcholine the neurotransmitter of memory and serotonin to reduce anxiety, and helps make receptors more sensitive to these. Two biochemical processes very important for those with MCI and related memory and mood problems.
Finally, you’ve heard me talk about Dr. Shea’s research at UMass. Recently I came across some notes I made from his earlier research, with mice and later with healthy adults. Keep in mind Dr. Shea is a former Harvard Medical School professor, and now Director of the Center for Cellular Neurobiology & Neurodegeneration Research at UMass-Lowell, and one of the most successful cutting edge Alzheimer’s researchers in the world. In summary his synergistic combination of nutrients including folic acid and B-12, Vitamin E, ALCAR, SAMe and NAC has been shown to improve cognitive performance, mood and memory in seniors and effectively inhibit at least 10 processes leading to further decline.(8) It:
* Reduces oxidative or free radical damage to brain tissue
* Increases production of our own super- antioxidants – like glutathione
* Helps compensate for APOE-4 (genetic) deficiency
* Reduces gamma-secretase activity to prevent brain damage
* Reduces plaque and tangle s in the brain
* Reduces levels of the neurotoxin homocysteine
* Boosts acetylcholine production – the neurotransmitter of memories
* Improves mental performance and reduces agitation and aggression
As a result in his study ending in 2012 funded by the Alzheimer’s Assoc, we found that nearly 70% of participants with MCI or early Alzheimer’s saw an improvement in their mood and memory over the course of 9 months on this supplement (now called Perceptiv™) And in another study of younger healthy individuals they experienced on average a 68% improvement in memory and a better than 20% improvement in mental processing speed within only 3 months.
Consider these case studies from my files:
My husband Ed was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Disorder. He was having Problems with his memory, driving, temper, and general confusion. He would lose things and when found said he didn’t put it there. He got lost driving and would get very angry if things didn’t go his way. He started taking a University of Mass study formulation, and has now been on it for almost a year. He is so much better! He remembers things I don’t remember, and his temper is much better. He has been seeing a geriatric neurologist regularly since he was diagnosed. In April he saw his neurologist and she was so impressed by his progress that she removed him from their dementia program and said he didn’t need to come back.. Claudia G., Ogden, Utah
And here is a report regarding another formula, developed from Dr. Shea’s – a drink mix for more advanced subjects.
David, I just wanted to let you know that I talked with Betty’s daughter a few days ago. She is absolutely thrilled with the positive changes in her mother since she began taking the formulation you recommended for her. Betty says she can now stay engaged, follow the train of a conversation, and is interested in life in a way she hasn’t been in years. Also, she is having none of the side effects from the prescription medication she had been taking. D. T., Salt Lake City, UT
Here’s what a healthier professional woman in her 50’s reported regarding Perceptiv:
Dave, FYI I just now retook the braintrainer test after a year of taking Perceptiv [Dr. Shea’s formula] and my brain age has gone from 41 to 24!! That is pretty crazy but it is pretty hard to cheat on that test. My absolute brain power went from 76.82% to 94.21% and the relative brain power went from 81.4% to 95.86 % Needless to say I am pretty pleased with these results! And it is good to know that it lasts over the long haul and does not accomodate back to baseline. S. E, Houston, TX
See http://www.mybraintrainer.com/
What do you think the chances are this woman is going to slip into MCI or AD? Likely nil if she keeps that up.
Caution: I learned a valuable lesson last month from an 81 year old client who has not progressed. We/she has tried about every formula I could think of, but still no progress. Then I found out last month that every evening her husband has been giving her a “treat” of some kind. Some days it’s chocolate cake, other nights a candy bar or ice cream. Please my friends, warn your clients and family! Excess sugar, in almost any form, is like poison for those with cognitive impairment. Sorry but if a person is experiencing memory problems they simply can’t have their cake and ice-cream too, and expect their memory to improve, no matter what pills or other potions they take. It’s just not going to happen. (More about why this is next month.) On the other hand, eating more vegetables, staying hydrated and getting more mental and physical exercise will help these nutrients work much better, faster. Saving you time, money and much more in mental ability.
So we now have some new things that are really making a difference with MCI. The challenge is making the public aware. There are so many things out there it’s hard for the average person to know what is truly effective and what is snake oil. But now hopefully the research is clarifying that. And hopefully early next year Dr. Shea’s latest study on his formula will be out in in a major medical journal. Although due to FDA regulations we are prohibited form even talking about all that it can do, outside of the bounds of research. But there really is an answer to this perplexing question “What can we do for those with MCI?” You have just read it. Please pass this link on to others and invite them to check out Perceptiv under products for a discount or they can learn more at the Perceptiv site.
p.s. If you know of a university student who needs better grades have them call me for a special offer shown to improve recall by more than 80% for less than a cup of coffee.
They can call me at 801 529-8238.
References
1. Smith, AD, PLoS ONE 2010, 5(9): e12244.
2. Zandi PP, Anthony JC, et al. Reduced risk of Alzheimer disease in users of antioxidant vitamin supplements: the Cache County Study. Arch Neurol. 2004;61(1):82-8.
3. Carta A, Calvani M. Acetyl-L-carnitine: a drug able to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease? Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1991;640:228-32.
4. McDaniel MA, Maier SF, Einstein GO. “Brain-specific” nutrients: a memory cure? Nutrition. 2003 Nov;19(11-12):957-75.
5. Brooks JO, III, Yesavage JA, Carta A, Bravi D. Acetyl L-carnitine slows decline in younger patients with Alzheimer’s disease: a reanalysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study using the trilinear approach. Int Psychogeriatr. 1998 Jun;10(2):193-203.
6. Chan A, Paskavitz J, Remington R, Rasmussen S, and Shea TB, Efficacy of a vitamin/nutriceutical formulation for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease: a 1-year, open-label pilot study with an 16-month caregiver extension. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen, 2008. 23(6): p. 571-85.
7. Chan A, Shea TB. Folate deprivation increases presenilin expression, gamma- secretase activity and Abeta levels in murine brain: potentiation by Apoe deficiency and alleviation by dietary S-adenosyl methionine. J Neurochem. 2007;102:753-760.
8. Shea, T.B. Nutriceutical formulation-1 improves mental processing in normal adults: Relationship of Improvement to Normative Age and Education. Unpublished abstract and analysis from Chan A, et al. 2010, sent July 4, 2012. received via personal e-mail. [Available upon request]
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