Dietary supplement shows memory benefits in people with vascular cognitive impairment, study claims
Published 18 July 2012
An off-the-shelf dietary supplement could have memory benefits for people with mild vascular cognitive impairment according to new research.
The research was presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference. The Italian study looked at the effectiveness and safety of citicoline in 265 people aged 65 or over with mild vascular cognitive impairment.
It found that participants who took 500mg of oral citicoline twice a day for nine months had a slight but not significant improvement in memory while those not taking it declined. Scientists believe citicoline may increase the availability of certain neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine which is involved in memory process.
Alzheimer's Society comment:
Professor Clive Ballard'This supplement is a long way from being a viable treatment for people with vascular cognitive impairment. The benefits shown in the study are minimal at best and only relate to memory, not touching on other symptoms related to the condition.
'There are currently no treatments for people with vascular dementia despite the fact that there are more than 130,000 people living with the condition in the UK. Research into new drugs are essential if we are to help people to live well with the condition and ultimately find a cure.'
Director of Research
Alzheimer's Society
