Drinking a nutritional supplement every day could slow the rate of early Alzheimer’s, researchers have controversially claimed.
Scientists said Souvenaid, a £3.49 drink sold by multinational firm Nutricia, could slow shrinkage of the brain, delay cognitive decline and even pause the progression of the disease among patients ‘before it is too late’.
Researchers behind the trial even claimed it was the first evidence of a ‘disease modifying treatment’ for Alzheimer’s – considered the holy grail of dementia research.
Scientists said Souvenaid, a £3.49 drink, could slow shrinkage of the brain, delay cognitive decline and even pause the progression of the disease among patients ‘before it is too late’
But they were criticised last night by UK experts who disputed this claim, pointing out that the trial failed to meet its primary aim of slowing memory loss, and did not actually stop anyone from progressing to full-blown Alzheimer’s.
Dr David Reynolds, chief scientific officer of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘There are signs of something meaningful, but the effect size is small – the same effect could probably be achieved by eating a healthy diet.’
The trial, published in the Lancet Neurology journal, was funded with a £5.3million European Union grant and involved scientists from Finland, Germany and Sweden.
Nutricia, a major company which also makes baby formula and is part of the Danone group, did not contribute financially to the study.
Souvenaid, was tested among 311 patients with ‘prodromal Alzheimer’s’ – which means they had been diagnosed with the condition but had not yet started showing symptoms.
Souvenaid, was tested among 311 patients with ‘prodromal Alzheimer’s’ – which means they had been diagnosed with the condition but had not yet started showing symptoms
Taking the supplement every day for two years led to a ‘significant stabilisation’ of everyday thinking performance and reduced brain shrinkage, said the study authors.
However it was no better than a placebo drink at preventing patients from going on to develop full Alzheimer’s, and it failed to show improvements in memory tests, its primary aim.
Project leader Professor Tobias Hartmann, of Saarland University in Germany claimed that the blend of fats and vitamins in the drink helps the brain repair itself.
He pointed to a 26 per cent reduction in shrinkage of the hippocampus – a part of the brain linked to memory.
He said: ‘To our amazement we saw a significant and strong reduction in the shrinkage of the hippocampus.
‘This is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but for the first time we have a disease modifying treatment. We changed the course of the disease because we slowed the impact on the hippocampus.’
But Dr Clare Walton, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘To claim that it shows disease modification is just not right.’
The drink is supposed to be taken under medical supervision, but is freely available on the internet, from pharmacists and directly from Nutricia.
Dr David Reynolds, chief scientific officer of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘There are signs of something meaningful, but the effect size is small – the same effect could probably be achieved by eating a healthy diet’
Dr Walton said: ‘People should not be rushing out to buy this until they talk to their doctor. It is not just for people who are suffering memory problems.
‘There is a hint that something might be happening in this data – but it is only meant for people diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s.’
Dr Reynolds added: ‘While taking this drink won’t do people any harm, there is mixed evidence of possible benefits and this study did not reveal the effects on memory and thinking that the researchers were hoping to measure.’
Professor Robert Howard, of University College London, said: ‘I see this as a negative trial.’