Dement Neurocogn Disord.  2018 Mar;17(1):1-10. 10.12779/dnd.2018.17.1.1.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial for Efficacy of Acetyl-L-carnitine in Patients with Dementia Associated with Cerebrovascular Disease

• Yang Y
• Choi H
• Lee CN
• Kim YB
• Kwak YT

• KMID: 2442812
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12779/dnd.2018.17.1.1

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) is a widely used drug for various neurodegenerative diseases including dementia. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the efficacy of ALC in dementia patients with cerebrovascular disease (vascular cognitive impairment; VCI).
METHODS
Fifty-six patients were randomized to treatment with 500 mg ter in die ALC, or placebo in this 28-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The primary outcome measure was the Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K).
RESULTS
Following treatment with ALC, the cognitive function measured by the MoCA-K was significantly improved in the ALC-treated groups. However, other secondary outcomes were not statistically significant between ALC- and placebo-treated groups. In MoCA-K analysis, attention and language sub-items significantly favored the ALC-treated group.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with placebo, treatment with ALC 1,500 mg/day produced significant changes in MoCA-K in dementia patients with VCI. ALC was well tolerated in this population. Despite the study limitations, the findings suggested the potential benefits associated with the use of ALC in dementia patients with VCI.

Keyword

Acetyl-L-carnitine; Dementia; Efficacy; Vascular Cognitive Impairment; MoCA-K

MeSH Terms

Acetylcarnitine*
Cerebrovascular Disorders*
Cognition
Cognition Disorders
Dementia*
Humans
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Acetylcarnitine

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Flow diagram outlining the study design: patient screening, randomization, and timing of assessment.

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