Current status of antioxidant therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

J Am Geriatr Soc. 1998 Dec;46(12):1566-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1998.tb01544.x.

Abstract

Accumulating evidence from preclinical and clinical studies supports the hypothesis that oxidative stress may be associated with the onset and progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Antioxidant therapies are being promoted in the lay press to enhance mental functions and delay cognitive losses with aging. An increasing number of physicians are also recommending antioxidant therapies, such as high dose vitamin E, for subjects with AD and other neurodegenerative disorders. High dose vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, and selegiline are three putative antioxidants that have been tested in randomized multicenter trial conditions in the US. This paper summarizes the oxidative stress hypothesis of AD and reviews the strengths and limitations of published antioxidant studies in AD in relation to the role of such therapies in practice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / etiology
  • Antioxidants / adverse effects
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Free Radicals
  • Humans
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Nerve Degeneration / drug therapy
  • Nerve Degeneration / etiology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Free Radicals