NMDA Enhancement Combined With Omega-3 for Early Dementia

NMDA Enhancement Combined With Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Treatment of Early Dementia

In this 4-year proposed project, we will enroll 140 patients with aMCI or mild AD into a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled drug trial. All patients will be allocated randomly to one of two treatment groups for 24 weeks (n = 70 in each group) in a double-blind manner: [1] DAOIB + omega-3; [2] DAOIB + placebo. We will assess the patients every 8 weeks during the treatment period (weeks 0, 8, 16, and 24). We hypothesize that DAOIB combined with omega-3 will yield better efficacy than placebo in improving the cognitive function, global functioning and quality of life in patients with aMCI or mild AD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment
• MMSE between 10-26
• CDR 1 or 0.5

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hachinski Ischemic Score > 4
• Substance abuse/dependence
• Parkinson disease, epilepsy, dementia with psychotic features
• Major depressive disorder
• Major physical illnesses
• memantine or special omega-3 fatty acids therapy within 3 months before enrollment
• Severe visual or hearing impairment