Sun L, Ye KX, Wong HLK, Wang L, Lim SL, Chao YX, Zhang C, Yap KZ, Feng L. The Effects of Medium Chain Triglyceride for Alzheimer's Disease Related Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
J Alzheimers Dis 2023:JAD230406. [PMID:
37248908 PMCID:
PMC10357178 DOI:
10.3233/jad-230406]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
The current lack of effective drug therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has prompted researchers to seek alternative nutritional therapies, such as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). However, results are inconclusive.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to summarize current evidence on the effect of MCT on cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted up until December 16, 2022, to identify human interventions reporting the effects of MCT on cognitive functioning of MCI or AD patients. 995 non-duplicated publications were identified, of which nine (n = 10 studies) met the inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
Meta-analysis showed cognitive improvements in general (SMD = 0.64; 95% CI [0.05, 1.24]), but not in memory, language, and attention domains after oral MCT administration, compared to placebo. The effect of MCT was greater among APOEɛ4 (-) subjects than APOEɛ4 (+) subjects (SMD = 1.87; 95% CI [0.35, 3.40]).
CONCLUSION
This review provides some evidence that treatment with MCT could improve general cognitive function in APOEɛ4 (-) cognitive impaired patients. Better characterized clinical studies are warranted before making a definitive conclusion on the use of MCT for MCI and AD management.
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