Glutathione, Brain Metabolism and Inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease
Baylor College of Medicine
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with significant, progressive cognitive decline. Key defects in mitochondrial fuel metabolism insulin resistance, inflammation and decreased brain glucose uptake are linked to AD. This trial will investigate the effects of supplementing glycine and N-acetylcysteine vs. alanine as placebo on these defects in AD, and examine the effects on cognition.
Description
Glutathione (GSH) deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance and inflammation are linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD). In prior studies, investigators have shown that GSH deficiency contributes to mitochondrial impairment and oxidative stress, and that GSH deficiency can be corrected by supplementing its precursors glycine and cysteine (provided as N-acetylcysteine, NAC), with the combination termed GlyNAC. This randomized clinical trial will evaluate the effect of GlyNAC vs. alanine placebo supplementation provided for 24-weeks to patients with AD, and measure…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 55–85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 55-85 years; * Gradual and progressive memory loss for more than 1 year, with a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 10-20; * Amyloid positivity on PET scan; * Availability of a study partner. Exclusion Criteria: * hospitalization in past 3 months; * use of insulin medications; * untreated thyroid disease; * creatinine levels \>1.5 mg/dL; * hemoglobin concentration \<11.0 g/dL; * known liver disease, or AST/ALT level \>2x ULN; * history of stroke, brain tumor, active heart failure or active cancer (removable basal cell cancers will not be an exclusion criteria);…
Interventions
- Dietary SupplementGlycine
The active arm will supplement a combination of glycine and N-acetylcysteine (GlyNAC)
- Dietary SupplementN-acetylcysteine
The active arm will supplement a combination of glycine and N-acetylcysteine (GlyNAC)
- Dietary SupplementAlanine
The placebo arm will supplement Alanine
Location
- Baylor College of MedicineHouston, Texas