Alicia Martin, Jordan Stillman, Maria-Jose Miguez, H. Reginald McDaniel, Janet Konefal, Judi M. Woolger, John E. Lewis
Martin et al., J Clin Transl Res, 2017, 3(3): 6
Published online: December 3, 2017
Abstract
Background and Aim: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of an aloe polymannose multinutrient complex (APMC) on pro brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and mature BDNF in persons with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s dementia.
Material and Methods: A 12-month open-label trial was utilized to evaluate the effect of the APMC on proBDNF and BDNF and their relationship to cognitive functioning. Thirty-four adults were enrolled and consumed 4 teaspoons/day of APMC for 12 months. Subjects were assessed at baseline and twelve months follow-up for proBDNF and BDNF and with a neuropsychological battery to measure cognitive functioning. Cognitive functioning was correlated with proBDNF and BDNF.
Results: Few adverse effects were reported. While proBDNF (baseline M=6,108.9, SD=854.9 and 12 months M=5,799.2, SD=573.4; p=0.57) and BDNF (baseline M=5,673.8, SD=3,342.3 and 12 months M=6,312.9, SD=2,830.9; p=0.29) did not significantly change, the correlations between the ADAS-cog total score and BDNF (r=-0.53, p=0.04) and BDNF/proBDNF ratio (r=-0.58, p=0.05) became statistically significant after 12 months of dietary supplementation. Other correlations were noted for various cognitive functioning assessments and BDNF and/or BDNF/proBDNF ratio at both baseline and 12 months.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that the relationship between cognitive functioning and BDNF and BDNF/proBDNF ratio improved in response to consumption of a dietary supplement in persons with Alzheimer’s dementia, which is consistent with our previous findings on cognitive functioning.
Relevance for patients: Overall, our results showed modest improvements in clinical outcomes for a disease that otherwise has no standard conventional approach to treatment with proven efficacy.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18053/jctres.03.201703.006
Author affiliation
1 Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
2 School of Integrated Sciences and Humanity at Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
3 Fisher Institute for Medical Research, Grand Prairie, TX, United States
4 Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
5 Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
*Corresponding author
John E. Lewis
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
1120 NW 14th Street
Suite #1482A (D21)
Miami, FL 33136 United States
Tel +1 305 243 6227
Fax +1 305 243 1619
Email: jelewis@miami.edu
Handling editor
Michal Heger
Department of Experimental Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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