Bacopa monnieri, often simply referred to as Bacopa, has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as a cognitive enhancer or "nootropic." In recent years, there has been growing scientific interest in Bacopa's potential for supporting cognitive function, including in the context of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Preclinical studies in animals have demonstrated neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, which are relevant given the neurodegenerative and oxidative stress components of AD. Bacopa extracts, particularly those standardized for bacoside content, have shown some ability to enhance memory and learning in animal models and in healthy human volunteers.

However, direct evidence for Bacopa's efficacy in Alzheimer's Disease is limited. A few small clinical trials have explored Bacopa supplementation in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment, but robust, large-scale studies specifically in AD patients are lacking. Some studies note improvements in certain cognitive domains such as attention and working memory, but results are mixed, and methodological limitations are common. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses typically conclude that, while Bacopa may have promise as a cognitive enhancer, there is insufficient high-quality evidence to recommend it as a treatment for Alzheimer's Disease at this time.

In summary, while Bacopa is scientifically investigated for cognitive support and has a plausible mechanism of action, the evidence supporting its use specifically for Alzheimer's Disease is weak and preliminary.