Long-Term Effects of Phosphatidylserine, Pyritinol, and Cognitive Training in Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

70 patients with probable Alzheimer''s disease were randomly allocated to four groups: 17 patients received only social support, 18 cognitive training twice a week, in 17 cognitive training was combined with pyritinol 2 x 600 mg/day and in 18 cognitive training was combined with phosphatidylserine 2 x 200 mg/day. Treatment duration was 6 months. Before and after treatment, the patients underwent neuropsychological testing as well as measurement of the regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose using positron emission tomography and ¹⁸F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose. Before treatment the groups were comparable in respect to resting and activated glucose pattern achieved by a visual recognition task. Electrophysiological changes were assessed as EEG power, globally and in 4 frequency bands. This 6-month study in four groups of patients with Alzheimer''s disease indicated that phosphatidylserine treatment has an effect on different measures of brain function. Since neuropsychological improvements were best documented after 8 and 16 weeks and faded towards the end of the treatment period, it must be concluded that this symptomatic therapy is mainly of short-term benefit and was overcome by the progressive pathological changes at the end of the treatment period.

Evaluation of a Calibrated 18F-FDG PET Score as a Biomarker for Progression in Alzheimer Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

“…Typically these were short trials of a few weeks or up to 3 mo active treatment duration with 18 F-FDG PET before and during treatment (20)(21)(22). Trials that were extended for at least 6 mo also showed evidence of disease progression by further reduction of glucose metabolism in association cortices (23)(24)(25)(26). However, these trials had not been designed to assess progression.…”

Soy Lecithin-Derived Phosphatidylserine Plus Phosphatidic Acid: Effects on Brain Functions in Elderly Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

“…Also, other experiments have shown an improvement in memory, learning capacity, and other cognitive parameters in PS-supplemented rodents [7][8][9][10][11]. This is plausible, since PS was found to stimulate neurotransmitter release [7,12], increase brain glucose metabolism [13,14] and reduce oxidative stress in the brain [15].In clinical studies, PS-containing preparations were found to selectively dampen stress levels [16][17][18], improve learning and perception parameters in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD) [19,20], and improve calculation speed of athletes [21]. Table 1 summarizes previously performed studies on PS and/or PA regarding brain function in the elderly.…”

Composition, Properties and Nutritional Aspects of Milk Fat Globule Membrane – A Review

“…Sphingolipids and metabolites Reduction of the number of aberrant crypt foci and adenocarcinomas Dillehay et al [1994] Shift in tumor type (malignant → benign) Schmelz et al [1996; Symolon et al [2004]; Spitsberg [2005] Anticholesterolemic Noh & Koo [2003; Nyberg et al [2000]; Eckhardt et al [2002] Protection of the liver from fat-and cholesterolinduced steatosis Duivenvoorden et al 2006 Suppression of gastrointestinal pathogens Sprong et al [2002]; Vesper et al [1999]; Pfeuffer & Schrezenmeir [2001] Neonatal gut maturation Oshida et al [2003] Myelination of the developing central nervous system Oshida et al [2003] Endogenous modulators of vascular function Michel et al [2007] Associated with age-related diseases and the development of Alzheimer Parodi [2001]; Spitsberg [2005] Sphingosine 1-phosphate Mitogenic Zhang et al [1990Zhang et al [ , 1991 Phosphatidyl-serine (PS) Restore normal memory on a variety of tasks McDaniel et al [2003] Positive effects on alzheimer patients Crook et al [1992]; Heiss et al [1994]; Pepeu et al [1996]; Gindin et al [1998]; Hashioka et al [2004] Improve exercise capacity of exercising humans Kingsley [2006] Phosphatidylcholine (PC) Support liver recovery from toxic chemical attack or viral damage Kidd [2002] Protects the human GI mucosa against toxic attack Anand et al [1999] Reduction of necrotising enterocolitis Carlson et al [1998] Lysophosphat-idylcholine (lyso PC) Bacteriostatic and bactericidal capacity van Rensburg et al [1992] Strong gastroprotective role in the duodenal mucosa ; ; Kivinen et al [1995] Other components Vitamin E and carotenoids Antioxidants Spitsberg [2005] as a mediator of senescence in a cell culture...…”

“…Preliminary findings with humans, though, are limited [McDaniel et al, 2003]. At elevated doses of 200 mg per day, clinical trials with patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease showed positive effects [Crook et al, 1992;Gindin et al, 1998;Hashioka et al, 2004;Heiss et al, 1994;Pepeu et al, 1996]. PS supplementation on exercising humans showed that PS might alter neuroendocrine function and positively influenced perceived muscular soreness and well-being.…”