Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders (대한치매학회지)

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

  • Yang, YoungSoon (Department of Neurology, Veteran Health Service Medical Center) ;
  • Choi, Hojin (Department of Neurology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Chan-Nyoung (Department of Neurology, Korea University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Yong Bum (Department of Neurology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kwak, Yong Tae (Department of Neurology, Hyoja Geriatric Hospital)
  • Received : 2018.03.10
  • Accepted : 2018.03.15
  • Published : 2018.03.31
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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.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

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