Acetyl-L-Carnitine (1994-2017) & Alzheimer's Disease

In pretreatment acetyl-l-carnitine has been shown to increase mitochondrial biogenesis and decrease production of free radicals. Since the late 1990s, it has been demonstrated that it slows the development of AD. It reduces the ill effects of high levels of homocysteine, lessens physical and mental fatigue, and improves cognitive functioning. It may raise the levels of nerve growth factor and increase the activity of acetylcholine (it is a precursor of acetylcholine), a neurotransmitter that is critical to healthy brain function. ALA supports neurogenesis (production of new neurons) in the brain resulting in improvements in memory and learning as well as mental status and cognitive function.

A small double-blind placebo-controlled 12 twelve-week trial, using 2250 to 3000mg daily found that neuropsychological tests (MMSE, CGI, etc) was markedly better than placebo, and did not depend on the baseline cognitive impairment. The researchers recommend it for early stages of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.

Combined with alpha lipoic acid, it is more effective.

Research

Pettigrew JW, Klunk WE, Panchalingam K, Kanfer JN, McClure RJ. (1995). Clinical and neurochemical effects of acetyl-L-carnitine in Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging. Jan-Feb;16(1):1-4.
Brooks JO 3rd, Yesavage JA, Carta A, Bravi D. (1998). Acetyl L-carnitine slows decline in younger patients with Alzheimer's disease: a reanalysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study using the trilinear approach. Int Psychogeriatr. Jun;10(2):193-203.
Zhou P, Chen Z, Zhao N, Liu D, Guo ZY, et al. (2011). Acetyl-L-carnitine attenuates homocysteine-induced Alzheimer-like histopathological and behavioral abnormalities. Rejuvenation Res. Dec;14(6):669-79.
Malaguarnera M, Gargante MP, Cristaldi E, Colonna V, Messano M. et al. (2008) Acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) treatment in elderly patients with fatigue. Arc Geron Geriatr. Mar-Apr; 46(2):181-190.
Jones LL, McDonald DA, Borum PR. (2010). Acylcarnitines: role in brain. Prog Lipid Res. Jan;49(1):61-75.
Yin YY, Liu H, Cong XB, Liu Z, Wang Q, et al (2010). Acetyl-L-carnitine attenuates okadaic acid induced tau hyperphosphorylation and spatial memory impairment in rats. J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;19(2):735-46.
Salvioli G, Neri M. (1994). L-acetylcarnitine treatment of mental decline in the elderly. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1994;20(4):169-76.
Ames BN, Liu J. (2004). Delaying the mitochondrial decay of aging with acetylcarnitine. Ann N Y Acad Sci. Nov;1033:108-16.
Gavrilova SI, Kalyn IaB, Kolykhalov IV, Roshchina IF, Selezneva ND. (2011). [Acetyl-L-carnitine (carnicetine) in the treatment of early stages of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2011;111(9):16-22.
Ferreira GC, McKenna MC. (2017). L-Carnitine and Acetyle-L-carnitine Roles and Neuroprotection in Developing Brain. Neurochem Res. Jun;42(6):1661-1675.