An analysis of “real-world” clinical data indicates that
vitamin E, and drugs that reduce generalized inflammation, may slow the
decline of mental and physical abilities in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD)
over the long term. “Our results are consistent for a potential benefit
of vitamin E on slowing functional decline and a smaller possible
benefit of anti-inflammatory medications on slowing cognitive decline
in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.” Dr. Alireza Atri of
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the VA Bedford Medical Center,
and Harvard Medical School, Boston, led the National Institutes of
Health-sponsored research. The findings, reported at the annual meeting
of the American Geriatrics Society in Chicago, stem from data on 540
patients treated at the MGH Memory Disorders Unit.
All of the patients were receiving standard-of-care treatment
with a drug intended to help patients with Alzheimer's. As part of
their clinical care, 208 patients also took vitamin E but no
anti-inflammatory, 49 took an anti-inflammatory but no vitamin E, 177
took both vitamin E and an anti-inflammatory, and 106 took neither.
While the daily dose of vitamin E ranged from 200 to 2000
units, the majority of patients were given high doses that ranged from
800 units daily to 1000 units twice daily. Each patient's performance
on cognitive tests and their ability to carry out daily functions such
as dressing and personal care were assessed every 6 months. After an
average of 3 years, “there was a modest slowing of decline in function
in those patients taking vitamin E,” study investigator Michael R.
Flaherty, a second-year student at the University of New England
College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine noted in a
telephone interview with Reuters Health. He added that the treatment
benefit from vitamin E was “small to medium” but increased with time.
Taking an anti-inflammatory medication was associated with “very
consistent but generally only small effects on slowing long-term
decline in cognitive functioning,” Dr. Atri told Reuters Health.
However, in patients who took both vitamin E and anti-inflammatory
medications, there appeared to be an additive effect in terms of
slowing overall decline.
