Evidence supporting the use of: Acetylcholine
For the health condition: Alzheimer's Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Acetylcholine itself is not administered directly to treat Alzheimer's Disease, but its relevance to the condition is well-established in scientific literature. Alzheimer's Disease is characterized by a significant loss of cholinergic neurons and a marked decrease in acetylcholine levels in the brain, particularly in areas associated with memory and learning. This "cholinergic hypothesis" is supported by numerous studies demonstrating the link between acetylcholine deficiency and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients.
However, acetylcholine as a molecule cannot cross the blood-brain barrier effectively and is rapidly degraded in the body, making it unsuitable for direct therapeutic use. Instead, treatment strategies focus on inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down acetylcholine, thereby increasing its levels and prolonging its action in the brain. Drugs such as donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine—the so-called "acetylcholinesterase inhibitors"—have been approved for mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease and provide modest symptomatic benefits. Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses confirm that these drugs can improve or stabilize symptoms for some patients, though they do not halt disease progression.
In summary, while acetylcholine itself is not used as a drug for Alzheimer's Disease, the strategy of increasing acetylcholine activity in the brain is scientifically validated and forms the basis for current standard therapies. The supporting evidence is substantial for symptomatic support, but not for disease modification, hence a moderate evidence rating.
Other ingredients used for Alzheimer's Disease
acai berryacetyl l-carnitine
akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
berberine
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
black tea
blueberry
broccoli
butyrate triglyceride
caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
caprylic acid
catechins
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
choline
cinnamon
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
gamma tocopherol
genistein
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
grape
green tea
hemp oil
hesperetin
hesperidin
huperzine A
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-serine
l-theanine
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
lutein
luteolin
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
melatonin
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
naringin
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
phenolic acids
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
pregnenolone
butyric acid
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
selenium
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vinpocetine
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
mulberry
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
gastrodia
tinospora cordifolia
lingzhi
morus
ferulic acid
cistanche
ganoderma
royal jelly
terpene lactones
polyphenols
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
soy isoflavones
2-(carbamimidoyl-methyl-amino) ethoxyphosphonic acid
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Anserine
Avocado
Agmatine
Acetylcholine
Amentoflavone
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Ampelopsin
Aniracetam
Apocynin
Black Seed
Bilobalide
Butylphthalide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Bacopin
Baicalein
Benfotiamine
Basidiomycota
Brahmi
Bacopa
Bifidobacteria
bacoside
Baicalin
Caffeic Acid
Centrophenoxine
Camellia sinensis
Caryophyllene
Cinnamomum
Crocin
Carnosine
Catalpol
Cyanidin
Curcuminoid
Curcumen
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Creatine
Curcuma
C-Phycocyanin
Convolvulus prostratus
Crocetin
Cytidine
Carnosic acid
Cannabigerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Decursin
Dihydrolipoic Acid
epicatechin
Ellagic Acid
Ergothioneine
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Estrogen
Ecklonia
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Ketone Salts
walnut
Other health conditions supported by Acetylcholine
Alzheimer's DiseaseDementia
Memory and Brain Function
Senility