Kansas City, KS – A supplement commonly used by athletes is showing promise in Alzheimer's research. In a pilot study at The University of Kansas Medical Center, 19 people with Alzheimer's disease showed improvements in working memory and executive function after taking creatine for eight weeks. On All Things Brain Health, researchers explain the findings, why more research is needed before creatine can be recommended as a treatment and how healthy lifestyle choices may help protect the brain.
Dr. Matthew Taylor, Associate Professor of Dietetics and Nutrition, KU School of Health Professions
Dr. Taylor led a pilot study involving 19 people with Alzheimer's disease who took 20 grams of creatine daily for eight weeks - Creatine to Augment Biogenetics in Alzheimer’s (CABA)
Participants showed improvements in working memory and executive function, and researchers confirmed creatine reached the brain.
Dr. Taylor explains why the study's small size and lack of a control group mean researchers cannot yet determine whether creatine caused the improvements.
He discusses plans for a larger, controlled clinical trial to investigate whether creatine improves brain energy metabolism and cognitive function.
He explains why creatine can raise blood creatinine levels without necessarily indicating kidney damage, and why people with existing kidney problems should consult their doctors before taking it.
Dr. Jeffrey Burns, Neurologist, Co-Director, KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, The University of Kansas Health System
Dr. Burns discusses how diet, exercise and sleep may help protect brain health and potentially delay Alzheimer's disease.
He explains how amyloid plaques, tau tangles and other abnormal proteins accumulate in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.
He says the creatine findings are intriguing but not yet strong enough to recommend the supplement as a standard Alzheimer's treatment.
He discusses blood tests already being used in patients with memory problems to help identify amyloid plaques in the brain, and the possibility of earlier detection in the future.
He encourages people to be proactive about brain health and participate in research aimed at preventing or delaying Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Burns discusses advances in blood testing that can help identify Alzheimer's-related changes in the brain and the ongoing effort to detect the disease earlier.
Nancy Jackson, Daughter of an Alzheimer's Patient
After her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 85, Nancy became determined to protect her own brain health.
At 59, Nancy is prioritizing exercise, sleep and a Mediterranean-style diet while staying mentally active.
She shares how her mother's diagnosis motivated her to make lifestyle changes in hopes of delaying or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
She discusses the challenges of navigating the many recommendations surrounding Alzheimer's prevention.
She credits Dr. Burns and the KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center for supporting families throughout Kansas, including her mother in Salina.