Use of medium chain triglycerides for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and other diseases resulting from reduced neuronal metabolism II
Methods and compositions for treating or preventing, the occurrence of senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type, or other conditions arising from reduced neuronal metabolism and leading to lessened cognitive function are described. In a preferred embodiment the administration of triglycerides or fatty acids with chain lengths between 5 and 12, to said patient at a level to produce an improvement in cognitive ability.
1. A method of treating loss of cognitive function caused by Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment, the method comprising:
orally administering a dosage unit of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) to a human patient in need thereof, wherein said MCT are administered at a dose of about 10 g per day to about 50 g per day causing hyperketonemia in the patient,
wherein the patient has a diet wherein carbohydrate intake is not restricted, resulting in ketone bodies being utilized for energy in the brain; and
wherein the patient's apolipoprotein E genotype is ApoE4(−).
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dosage unit is given in a single dose.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the loss of cognitive function is caused by Alzheimer's Disease.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein hyperketonemia results in a blood level of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate of about 0.3 to 5 mM.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein hyperketonemia results in a blood level of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate of about 0.5 to 2 mM.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein hyperketonemia results in a blood level of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate of about 1 to 10 mM.