Alzheimer disease is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is a loss in mental function that impacts daily life. The ability to learn, remember, and function is slowly lost. It is related to abnormal deposits of protein and twisted fibers in nerve cells in the brain. The cause of this is not known. Less common disease forms include those associated with heart disease and Parkinson disease.
There is no cure. Some medications can treat symptoms and may slow cognitive loss. Some patients and caregivers look to natural treatments to help manage changes related to dementia. They may ease anxiety, improve sleep, or improve clarity in thought process.
Natural Therapies
Likely Effective
Dementia is serious and requires standard medical treatment and close supervision. The following alternative treatments may favorably effect cognitive function:
- Ginkgo biloba —may improve cognition and activities of daily living. (Note: Ginkgo biloba may interact harmfully with other medications.) A1-A8
- Huperzine A —may improve cognitive function and activities of daily living. (Note: Huperzine A may interact harmfully with other medications. It is not advised for patients with certain health condition, such as asthma. It may also cause nausea, sweating, and blurred vision. B2, B14
Possibly Effective
Supplements that may improve symptoms include:
- Carnitine B2, B3, B6
- Folate B16, B23
- Melatonin B9, B15, B18
- Omega-3 fatty acids B8, B10, B13, B17, B21
- Vinpocetine B7
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) B12, B19
- Vitamin B6 B5, B16
- Vitamin B12 B4, B16, B23
- Vitamin E B20, B22
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution
Talk to your doctor about all herbs or supplements you are taking. Some may interact with your treatment plan or health conditions. Some supplements discussed here have certain concerns such as:
- Ginkgo biloba may interact harmfully with a number of commonly prescribed medications. Talk to your doctor about the medications you are taking.
- Huperzine A may interact with other medications used to treat dementia.
References
Herbs
REFA1 Le Bars P. Conflicting results on ginkgo research. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2002;9:19-20.
REFA2 Napryeyenko O, Borzenko I. Ginkgo biloba special extract in dementia with neuropsychiatric features: a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Arzneimittelforschung. 2007;57:4-11.
REFA3 Scripnikov A, Khomenko A, Napryeyenko O. Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® on neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia: findings from a randomised controlled trial. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2007;157:295-300.
REFA4 Dodge HH, Zitzelberger T, Oken BS, et al. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of ginkgo biloba for the prevention of cognitive decline. Neurology. 2008 Feb 27.
REFA5 Bornhoft G, Maxion-Bergemann S, Matthiessen PF. External validity of clinical trials for treatment of dementia with ginkgo biloba extracts.] Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2008 Mar 11.
REFA6 McCarney R, Fisher P, Iliffe S, et al. Ginkgo biloba for mild to moderate dementia in a community setting: a pragmatic, randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2008 Jun 9.
REFA7 Birks J, Evans JG. Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009;(1):CD003120.
REFA8 Weinmann S, Roll S, Schwarzbach C, Vauth C, Willich SN. Effects of Ginkgo biloba in dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr. 2010;10:14.
Supplements
REFB1 Thal LJ, Calvani M, Amato A, et al. A 1-year controlled trial of acetyl-l-carnitine in early-onset AD. Neurology. 2000;55:805-810.
REFB2 Zhang Z, Wang X, Chen Q, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of huperzine Alpha in treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer disease, a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2002;82:941-944.
REFB3 Hudson S, Tabet N. Acetyl-l-carnitine for dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;CD003158.
REFB4 Lip GY, Lane DA, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(3):CD004394.
REFB5 Malouf R, Grimley Evans J. The effect of vitamin B6 on cognition. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(4):CD004393.
REFB6 Montgomery SA, Thal LJ, Amrein R. Meta-analysis of double blind randomized controlled clinical trials of acetyl-L-carnitine versus placebo in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2003;18:61-71.
REFB7 Szatmari SZ, Whitehouse PJ. Vinpocetine for cognitive impairment and dementia [review]. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;CD003119.
REFB8 Freund-Levi YF, Eriksdotter-Jonhagen M, Cederholm T, et al. Omega-3 fatty acid treatment in 174 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease: OmegAD Study. Arch Neurol. 2006;63:1402-1408.
REFB9 Jansen SL, Forbes DA, et al. Melatonin for cognitive impairment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Jan 25;(1).
REFB10 Freund-Levi Y, Basun H, Cederholm T, et al. Omega-3 supplementation in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: effects on neuropsychiatric symptoms. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007 Jun 21. [Epub ahead of print]
REFB12 Aisen PS, Schneider LS, et al. High-dose B vitamin supplementation and cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008 Oct 15;300(15):1774-1783.
REFB13 Jia X, McNeill G, Avenell A. Does taking vitamin, mineral and fatty acid supplements prevent cognitive decline? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2008;21:317-336.
REFB14 Li J, Wu HM, Zhou RL, Liu GJ, Dong BR. Huperzine A for Alzheimer's disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008;(2):CD005592.
REFB15 Riemersma-van der Lek RF, Swaab DF, Twisk J, et al. Effect of bright light and melatonin on cognitive and noncognitive function in elderly residents of group care facilities: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008;299:2642-2655.
REFB16 Ford AH, Flicker L, Alfonso H, et al. Vitamins B(12), B(6), and folic acid for cognition in older men. Neurology. 2010;75(17):1540-1547.
REFB17 Andreeva VA, Kesse-Guyot E, et al. Cognitive function after supplementation with B vitamins and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids: ancillary findings from the SU.FOL.OM3 randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jul;94(1):278-286.
REFB18 Jansen S, Forbes D, Duncan V, Morgan D, Malouf R. Melatonin for the treatment of dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(1):CD003802.
REFB19 Rodriguez-Martin JL, Qizilbash N, et al. Thiamine for Alzheimer’s disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(2):CD001498.
REFB20 Farina N, Isaac MG, et al. Vitamin E for Alzheimer’s dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Nov 14;11:CD002854.
REFB21 Sydenham E, Dangour AD, et al. Omega 3 fatty acid for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Jun 13;(6): CD005379.
REFB22 Dysken MW, Sano M, et al. Effect of vitamin E and memantine on functional decline in Alzheimer disease: the TEAM-AD VA cooperative randomized trial. JAMA. 2014 Jan 1;311(1)33-44.
REFB23 Van der Zwaluw NL, Dhonukshe-Rutten RA, et al. Results of a 2-year vitamin B treatment of cognitive performance: secondary data from an RCT. Neurology. 2014 Dec 2;83(23):2158-2166.