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Important Notice: The Forum does not endorse any medical product or therapy. ALL medications and supplements should be taken ONLY under the supervision of a physician, due to the possibility of side-effects, drug interactions, etc.

Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Primary medical role: An essential vitamin that function as an antioxidant. Previous research has shown that vitamin E can help prevent cardiovascular disease and increase immune response.

Role in Alzheimer's disease: Thought to prevent brain cell damage by destroying toxic free radicals.

Approved by FDA for Alzheimer's use?: No

Pharmacological role: Binds to free radicals normally found in blood stream. Reduce the oxidation process, which may seriously damage cells.

Contraindications: n/a

Side effects: When taken in high dose, may cause bleeding and gastrointestinal problems. In Alzheimer's disease study, a slight increase in the number of falls and sycopal episodes were noted in the treated patients.

Evidence pro its efficacy: A recent, pretty big, double-blinded placebo-controlled multicenter study supported the use of Vit. E in Alzheimer's disease. It found that those taking 2000 IU a day are less likely to come to bad primary outcomes than people taking placebo (similar to the outcome found using selegeline). The results were hence encouraging but were far from mind-blowing. In fact, technically, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in this study (the findings mentioned above were declared after statistical adjustments were made).

Evidence con its efficacy: The use of this drug over the long term has not been examined. Moreover, the results of the single study that indicated that it is efficacious were not overly terrific.

Dosage: 2000 IU/d of Vitamin E

Cost: Pennies per day

Selected References

Masaki KH, Losonczy KG, Izmirlian G, Foley DJ, Ross GW, Petrovitch H, Havlik R, White LR. Association of vitamin E and C supplement use with cognitive function and dementia in elderly men. Neurology. 2000 Mar 28;54(6):1265-72. Abstract

Grundman M. Vitamin E and Alzheimer disease: the basis for additional clinical trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Feb;71(2):630S-636S. Abstract

Christen Y. Oxidative stress and Alzheimer disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Feb;71(2):621S-629S. Abstract

Butterfield DA, Koppal T, Subramaniam R, Yatin S. Vitamin E as an antioxidant/free radical scavenger against amyloid beta-peptide-induced oxidative stress in neocortical synaptosomal membranes and hippocampal neurons in culture: insights into Alzheimer's disease. Rev Neurosci. 1999;10(2):141-9. Abstract

Vatassery GT, Bauer T, Dysken M. High doses of vitamin E in the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system in the aged. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Nov;70(5):793-801. Abstract

Pereira C, Santos MS, Oliveira C. Involvement of oxidative stress on the impairment of energy metabolism induced by A beta peptides on PC12 cells: protection by antioxidants. Neurobiol Dis. 1999 Jun;6(3):209-19. Abstract

Yatin SM, Aksenov M, Butterfield DA. The antioxidant vitamin E modulates amyloid beta-peptide-induced creatine kinase activity inhibition and increased protein oxidation: implications for the free radical hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease. Neurochem Res. 1999 Mar;24(3):427-35. Abstract

Pincus MM. Alpha-tocopherol and Alzheimer's disease. N Engl J Med 337(8):572 (Aug 1997) No Abstract Available

Sano M, Ernesto C, Thomas RG, Klauber MR, Schafer K, Grundman M, Woodbury P, Growdon J, Cotman CW, Pfeiffer E, Schneider LS, Thal LJ. A controlled trial of selegiline, alpha-tocopherol, or both as treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study. N Engl J Med 336(17):1216-1222 (Apr 1997) Abstract.