A Study of a Supplement Containing Huperzine A and Curcumin in Dementia Patients and Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Article type: Short Communication

Authors: Tabira, Takeshi^{a; b; *} | Kawamura, Nobutoshi^b

Affiliations: [a] Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan | [b] Kawamura Hospital, Gifu City, Gifu, Japan

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Takeshi Tabira, Juntendo University,5-28-12-601 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0021, Japan. Tel.: +81 3 6822 2738; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: Extracts from Huperzia serrata (HS) function as a cholinesterase inhibitor and a glutamic acid receptor antagonist. We tested a supplement containing HS extracts, curcumin, and others in dementia patients and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in an open label study. Most patients with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and MCI individuals exhibited improvements in cognitive functions, as assessed by the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale Japanese version. The scores were significantly improved at 6–12 weeks compared with baseline scores (p = 0.007) and at 22–28 weeks (p = 0.004). Thus, this supplement may be administered to dementia patients as well as MCI individuals.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, curcumin, dementia with Lewy bodies, huperzine A, mild cognitive impairment

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-171154

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 63, no. 1, pp. 75-78, 2018