A special drink may enhance memory of early Alzheimer patients

By Tooba Altaf Jul 11th, 2012 ( 2 Comments )

A new study suggests that people with early Alzheimer’s disease can be benefited by a drink containing some special nutrients.

Online edition of Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease contained this report, published on 10 July.

Alzheimer patients lose memory as the disease progresses due to the deteriorating connectivity among brain cells. Souvenaid, drink with special nutrients, can improvise this connection, said Dr. Richard Wurtman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientist.

Sovenaid contains three ingredients, choline, uridine and omega-3 fatty acids. Choline is B vitamin and can be found in meats, nuts and eggs. Fishes, eggs, flaxseed and meat of grass fed animals have omega-3 fatty acids. Uridine can also be gained from some food as part of RNA and it helps in making protein in the body.

These nutrients with some other essential proteins are required to make cell membranes that form synapses (connections between brain cells).

But according to William Thies, vice president for medical and scientific affairs at the Alzheimer’s Association, Souvenaid requires more research before it could go public and even then consumers need to be cautious.

“Present data now propose that it may be possible to receive something that will sustain cognition in patients with Alzheimer’s disease with a limited concern about side effects,” Wurtman said.

Experiments in animals showed an increased production of synapses after taking three compounds that are included in this drink, he added.

For this study, almost 260 patients of early Alzheimer’s were divided into two groups. One group drank Souvenaid and other group took a placebo for six months.

Initial three weeks showed an improvement of memory in both the group. After that, group taking placebo had a decline in memory and group with the Souvenaid showed an improvement in the memory.

However the longer effects of Souvenaid are still not known. Whether it has any impact on the progression of the disease is yet to be found.