Study Shows Vitamin E, Parkinson's Drug May Delay Alzheimer's Symptoms

Alzheimer's Association
Tuesday, 28 April 1998

New research that demonstrates that it is possible to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease is a significant advance, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

"We are very excited that the study showed not only that the clinical signs of disease progression can be slowed, but also that, for the first time, drugs were effective with people in the moderately severe stages of the disease," said Edward Truschke, Association president and CEO. "It's also very significant that readily available compounds seems to be effective treatments."

The study, by Mary Sano, Ph.D., of the Gertrude Sergievsky Center at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and colleagues at the nationwide Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study, found that moderate stage Alzheimer patients who for two years ingested either vitamin E or selegiline, a drug normally prescribed for Parkinson's disease, took a significantly longer time to reach more advanced stages of the disease than those who took a placebo. The research was funded by the National Institute on Aging and is reported in the April 24, 1998 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

"The research is very encouraging, but it is premature to actually recommend vitamin E or selegiline as a specific treatment for Alzheimer's disease without additional, confirming research," Truschke said. "However, keeping in mind that previous research has demonstrated that vitamin E has other health benefits, there appears to be no reason not to take vitamin E in moderation." The U. S. Government Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin E is 30 International Units a day.

Previous research has shown that vitamin E can help prevent cardiovascular disease, increase immune response capability, and possibly help protect against some cancers, though some studies did not show these positive effects. Natural sources of vitamin E include green, leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, seed oils, whole grains, wheat germ, rice, sweet potatoes and avocados. In the Alzheimer's disease study, participants received significantly larger amounts of vitamin E than are available with normal dietary intake.

Vitamin E is available in vitamin supplements, though little is known about the effects of high doses or possible interactions with other drugs. Vitamin E may be associated with increased bleeding. There are differences between the natural and synthetic forms of vitamin E. All medication decisions, including vitamin supplements and over-the-counter products, should be made only after consultation with a physician.

For the study, 341 moderate stage Alzheimer patients participated in a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter trial. Participants received selegiline (10 milligrams per day), vitamin E (2,000 I.U. per day), both or a placebo for two years, and were followed to see when they reached one of the following endpoints: death, institutionalization, inability to do certain basic activities of daily living, or severe dementia.

Those participants who took vitamin E or selegiline took significantly longer time to reach one of the primary outcomes than the placebo group. There was no evidence of added benefit with combined treatment using both drugs. According to the researchers, it is not clear yet if the drugs were having an effect specifically on the disease process or on the overall health of the participants. Researchers report the drugs were well tolerated.

"It is important to note that the study was not designed to measure whether the people in the trial got better," Truschke said. "It did show that it took them longer to get worse. For individuals and families coping with Alzheimer's disease, that is a good thing."

For more information, or to contact Alzheimer's Association, see their website at: www.alz.org