Nutritional Drink Shows Potential to Improve Memory in People At-Risk of Dementia

A commonly available nutritional drink may help prevent memory loss in people at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, said a new study. The over-the-counter drink called Souvenaid preserves the cells that usually diminishes in people with dementia and also help them perform everyday tasks easily.

The results of the LipiDiDiet clinical trial funded by the European Union (EU) was presented at the Advances In Alzheimer's Therapy Congress in Athens. The study had showed mixed results but still it is the first clinically proven treatment for memory problems in people at early stages of dementia.

The team examined 311 people aged 55-85 years with prodromal Alzheimer’s disease (early stages). Half of the volunteers were given the nutritional drink while other half were given a drink with an equal calorie content but without the nutrients. They were also subjected to frequent brain scanning.

The study found that the volunteers who took the drink had 38.7 percent less brain shrinkage, particularly in the hippocampal area, the part of the brain that helps store short-term memories, than those who did not. They were also able to remember and perform their everyday tasks.

Dr. James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said, "The results show that an over-the-counter nutritional supplement can bring memory improvements for people in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease, providing some relief to one of the most common symptoms. However, the study wasn't considered an overall success as there were no wider improvements in cognition and there was no evidence that the drink can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.”

Source-Medindia