Annette Maczurek
Medicine Today
Two open trials in Germany and a pilot double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial in the USA might suggest a long-term substantial benefit for lipoic acid in treating Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that destroys patient memory and cognition, communication skills and ability to perform activities of daily living. It affects up to 40% of people over 85 years of age. Despite extensive research into the pathogenesis of AD, a neuroprotective treatment is still unavailable for clinical use – particularly for the early stages of disease. Alpha lipoic acid (LA), an antioxidant that has been registered as a medicine in Germany for diabetic neuropathy since 1966, might offer benefits for patients with AD.
Read More: Lipoic acid for Alzheimer’s disease
Cartoon by Bob Moran
