Alpha Lipoic Acid (1999-2018) & Alzheimer's

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) hs been called the "universal" antioxidant because it boosts glutathione levels in cells already within a normal range, and has potent antioxidant actions, reducing oxidative stress.

The alpha R form is the one most easily utilized by the body. Supplementation with alpha lipoic acid inhibits progress of tau protein toward fibrils of plaque, reduces cognitive decline, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and tau-induced iron overload.

Its therapeutic potential for different neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's is due to improved mitochondrial function in Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. It protects against age-related cognitive dysfunction for those with AD and other neurodegenerative conditions. Studies aiming to assess the neuroprotective effects of LA on behavioral outcomes show that LA can reduce memory deficits in different behavioral paradigms of AD.

Research

Farr SA, Poon HF, Dogrukol-Ak D, Drake J, Banks WA, et al. (2003). The antioxidants alpha-lipoic acid and N-acetylcysteine reverse memory impairment and brain oxidative stress in aged SAMP8 mice. J Neurochem. Mar;84(5):1173-83.
Mahboob A, Farhat SM, Iqbal G, Babar MM, Zaidi NU, et al. (2016). Alpha-lipoic acid-mediated activation of muscarinic receptors improves hippocampus- and amygdala-dependent memory. Brain Res Bull. 2016 Apr; 22():19-28.
Hiller S, DeKroon R, Hamlett ED, Xu L, Osorio C, et al. (2016). Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation protects enzymes from damage by nitrosative and oxidative stress. Biochim Biophys Acta. Jan;1860(1 Pt A):36-45.
Zhang YH, Wang DW, Xu SF, Zhang S, Fan YG, et al. (2018). A-Lipoic acid improves abnormal behavior by mitigation of oxidative stress, inflammation, ferroptosis, and tauopathy in P301S Tau transgenic mice. Redox Biol. Apr;14:535-548.
Packer L, Tritschler HJ, Wessel K. (1997). Neuroprotection by the metabolic antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. Free Radic Biol Med. 1997;22(1-2):359-78.
The effects and mechanisms of mitochondrial nutrient alpha-lipoic acid on improving age-associated mitochondrial and cognitive dysfunction: an overview. Liu J Neurochem Res. 2008 Jan; 33(1):194-203.
Hager K, Marahrens A, Kenklies M, Riederer P, Munch G. (2001). Alpha-lipoic acid as a new treatment option for Alzheimer [corrected] type dementia. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. Jun;32(3):275-82.
Zhang H, Jia H, Liu J, Ao N, Yan B, et al. (2010). Combined R-alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine exerts efficient preventative effects in a cellular model of Parkinson's disease. J Cell Mol Med. Jan;14(1-2):215-25.
Zuo L, Motherwell MS. (2013). The impact of reactive oxygen species and genetic mitochondrial mutations in Parkinson's disease. Gene. Dec 10;532(1):18-23.
Khanna S, Atalay M, Laaksonen DE, Gul M, Roy S, et al. (1999). Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation: tissue glutathione homeostasis at rest and after exercise. J Appl Physiol (1985). Apr;86(4):1191-6.
Quinn JF, Bussiere JR, Hammond RS, Montine TJ, Henson E, et al. (2007). Chronic dietary alpha-lipoic acid reduces deficits in hippocampal memory of aged Tg2576 mice. Neurobiol Aging. Feb;28(2):213-25.
Farr SA, Price TO, Banks WA, Ercal N, Morley JE. (2012). Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on memory, oxidation, and lifespan in SAMP8 mice. J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;32(2):447-55.
Holmquist L, Stuchbury G, Berbaum K, Muscat S, Young S, et al. (2007). Lipoic acid as a novel treatment for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Pharmacol Ther. Jan;113(1):154-64.