the european study of the milkshake-like drink called souvenaid (also known as fortasyn connect) was the first randomized, controlled, double-blind study of a non-pharmacological intervention in early dementia. it is marketed as a prescription formula in europe.
but the two-year study of almost 400 subjects, published in lancet neurology, showed that the combination of omega 3, high doses of vitamins b, e, c, selenium and docosahexaenoic acid, among other ingredients, did not improve memory in the group of participants who got the drink, compared to those who drank a placebo. indeed, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups over a two-year period.
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in an accompanying lancet editorial , dr. hussein yassine, of the university of southern california in los angeles, said it may be that such dietary supplementations or other such interventions must be started earlier because as brain degeneration progresses, “the ability of preventive therapies to reverse progression to alzheimer’s disease is attenuated.”
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early findings regarding the supplement that combines various nutrients, including those found in breast milk and herring, were presented at the alzheimer’s association international conference in vancouver in 2012.
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but feldman said the failed study will not spell the end of research into preventive dietary strategies and metabolic impairments associated with alzheimer’s. indeed, ubc has recently launched an early phase study using a “medium chain triglyceride intervention.” individuals with a diagnosis of mild to moderate alzheimer’s, aged 50 to 90, are being recruited for the study , that is exploring whether a type of dietary fat found in sources like coconut and palm oils, is safe and tolerable.
future phases of the trial will explore whether it can enhance cognition and preserve functions of daily living. three-quarters of participants will be assigned to the study drink, and the rest will get a placebo. to find out more, call study coordinator penny slack at 604-822-6379.
ubc has finished enrolling participants in a separate north american study investigating a medication called solanezumab . the a4 trial, as it is called, is reportedly the first ever to test whether a treatment can prevent plaques from forming in the brains of people at risk of the disease before memory loss occurs. to learn more about that trial, contact research coordinator benita mudge at 604-822-7990.
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