Vitamin Supplementation as an Adjuvant Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease.

Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder representing a major health concern worldwide. This disorder is characterised by progressive dementia and cognitive decline. The pathological hallmarks of AD include the presence of Aβ plaques and tau neurofibrils. Research has shown that oxidative stress represents a major risk factor associated with AD pathology. Accumulation of Aβ plaques and relative lack of antioxidant defence mechanisms, including cellular antioxidant enzymes and dietary antioxidants like vitamins, assist in the exacerbation of oxidative stress. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) produced as the result of oxidative stress, that increase structural and functional abnormalities in brain neurons, which then manifests as dementia and decline in cognition. Data from numerous epidemiological studies suggests that nutrition is one of the most important yet modifiable risk factors for AD. Since oxidative stress contributes a great deal in the development and progression of AD, anything that could attenuate oxidative stress would help in decreasing the prevalence and incidence of AD. There is increasing evidence that supports the use of different antioxidant as an adjuvant treatment for AD. Vitamins are one such antioxidant that can be used as an adjuvant in AD treatment. This paper will focus on the evidence, based on current literature, linking the use of vitamin supplementations as an adjuvant treatment for AD.