Effects of curcumin on Alzheimer’s disease

Could a spice untangle the mystery of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)?

An HSI member named Don writes: “My wife is in the extended stages of AD, and I am desperately searching for answers. In one article I discovered a most interesting discussion on the treatment of AD patients with curcumin, the substance found in curry used in East Indian cooking. The incidence of AD in SE Asia is almost non-existent, and the reason is suspected to be the curry in their diet.

“I’m most curious to know if the Alzheimer’s/curcumin relationship is within the scope of HSI’s interest.”

It certainly is. In the e-Alert “Nice Spice” (1/26/05), I told you about a University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) study that examined the effects of curcumin on AD. Don found this study on his own, and offers this excellent description:

“In tests with mice at UCLA, induced amyloid plaque in their brains was attacked by the curcumin and diminished, along with the fibroid tangles. This resulted in improvement in the cognitive and problem-solving capabilities of the subject mice. In an excerpt from the UCLA summary: ‘Hence, curcumin directly binds small ss-amyloid species to block aggregation and fibril formation in vitro and in vivo. These data suggest that low dose curcumin effectively disaggregates as well as prevents fibril and oligmer formation, supporting the rationale for curcumin use in clinical trials preventing or treating AD.’ Of course clinical studies have not been conducted with humans due to the absence of ultimate financial payoff.”

Don adds that he can’t wait for the results of clinical trials: “I have elected, with my neurologist’s wholehearted approval, to commence medication with a curcumin complex formulation.”

“Don should have no trouble finding curcumin supplements through Internet sources or health food stores. But he should know that large doses cause ulcers in some users. Curcumin has also been shown to lower cholesterol by prompting the liver to discharge bile, but this can be a problem for anyone with an obstruction of the biliary tract.”

Meanwhile, we wish Don and his wife the best in their personal curcumin test.

Sources:
“Curcumin Inhibits Formation of Amyloid Oligomers and Fibrils and Binds Plaques and Reduces Amyloid in Vivo” Journal of Biological Chemistry, published online ahead of print 12/7/04, jbc.org