(Integrative Medicine) - A new study in the journal Neurology has found that the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may improve certain cognitive skills in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the cause of AD is unknown, damage inflicted by harmful molecules known as free radicals is believed to play a major role in the development of the condition. In the current study, researchers in New Mexico investigated whether the antioxidant NAC (a substance known to scavenge free radicals) could improve symptoms of AD. They randomly assigned 47 patients with AD to an NAC group or a placebo group for 6 months. Participants underwent a series of psychological tests at the beginning of the study, and at 3 and 6 months. Although participants in the NAC group did not outperform placebo patients in day-to-day activities, they did fare significantly better than the placebo group on certain cognitive tests. "The current study encourages additional investigation into the use of antioxidants in AD," the researchers conclude.

References

Adair JC, Knoefel JE, Morgan N. Controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine for patients with probable Alzeimer's disease. Neurology. 2001;57(2):1515-1517.