Open AccessUse of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil in subjects with Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study, with an open‐label extension
Author(s) -
Juby Angela G.,
Blackburn Toni E.,
Mager Diana R.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: translational research and clinical interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.49
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 2352-8737
DOI - 10.1002/trc2.12259
Subject(s) - crossover study , placebo , triglyceride , mini–mental state examination , medicine , montreal cognitive assessment , double blind , randomized controlled trial , cognition , gastroenterology , psychology , cognitive impairment , disease , cholesterol , psychiatry , alternative medicine , pathology
Cerebral glucose and insulin metabolism is impaired in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ketones provide alternative energy. Will medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, a nutritional source of ketones, impact cognition in AD? Methods This was a 6‐month randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study, with 6‐month open‐label extension in probable AD subjects, on stable medications. MCT dose was 42 g/day, or maximum tolerated. Cognition was assessed with Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Cognigram®. Results Twenty subjects, average age 72.6 years, 45% women, 70% university educated had baseline MMSE 22.6/30 (10–29); MoCA 15.6/30 (4–27); baseline Cognigram® Part 1: 65–106, Part 2: 48–107. Average MCT oil consumption was 1.8 tablespoons/day (25.2 g, 234 kcal). Eighty percent remained stable or improved. Longer MCT exposure and age > 73, resulted in higher final MMSE ( P < .001) and Cognigram® 1 scores. Discussion This is the longest duration MCT AD study to date. Eighty percent had stabilization or improvement in cognition, and better response with 9‐month continual MCT oil.