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Open Access 01-08-2008 | Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders - Original Article

Intake of copper has no effect on cognition in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot phase 2 clinical trial

Authors: Holger Kessler, Thomas A. Bayer, Daniela Bach, Thomas Schneider-Axmann, Tillmann Supprian, Wolfgang Herrmann, Manfred Haber, Gerd Multhaup, Peter Falkai, Frank-Gerald Pajonk

Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission | Issue 8/2008

Abstract

Disturbed copper (Cu) homeostasis may be associated with the pathological processes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the present report, we evaluated the efficacy of oral Cu supplementation in the treatment of AD in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial in patients with mild AD for 12 months. Sixty-eight subjects were randomized. The treatment was well-tolerated. There were however no significant differences in primary outcome measures (Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale, Cognitive subscale, Mini Mental Status Examination) between the verum [Cu-(II)-orotate-dihydrate; 8 mg Cu daily] and the placebo group. Despite a number of findings supporting the hypothesis of environmental Cu modulating AD, our results demonstrate that oral Cu intake has neither a detrimental nor a promoting effect on the progression of AD.

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Title: Intake of copper has no effect on cognition in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot phase 2 clinical trial
Authors: Holger Kessler
Thomas A. Bayer
Daniela Bach
Thomas Schneider-Axmann
Tillmann Supprian
Wolfgang Herrmann
Manfred Haber
Gerd Multhaup
Peter Falkai
Frank-Gerald Pajonk
Publication date: 01-08-2008
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission / Issue 8/2008
Print ISSN: 0300-9564
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1463
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-008-0080-1

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Intake of copper has no effect on cognition in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot phase 2 clinical trial

Abstract

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