How Creatine Monohydrate Helps Alzheimer's Patients in 1st Trial?

A common gym supplement might hold new hope for people with Alzheimer's disease. Scientists have just published the first human study testing creatine in Alzheimer's patients. The results are surprising and encouraging. This research could change how we think about treating memory loss.

What Is Creatine and Why Does It Matter?

Creatine is a natural substance your body makes from three building blocks called amino acids. You can also get creatine from eating meat and fish. Most people know creatine as a supplement that helps build muscle and improve athletic performance. But creatine does much more than help muscles grow stronger.

Your brain needs lots of energy to work properly. Think of creatine as a backup battery for your brain cells. When brain cells need quick energy, creatine helps provide it. The brain creatine system plays a crucial role in maintaining bioenergetic flux and is disrupted in Alzheimer's disease. This energy problem might be one reason why people with Alzheimer's have trouble thinking clearly.

Scientists have known for years that people with Alzheimer's have energy problems in their brains. Their brain cells struggle to get enough power to work normally. This energy shortage might happen before other Alzheimer's symptoms appear. Researchers wondered if giving extra creatine could help fix this energy problem.

The Groundbreaking CABA Study

The University of Kansas Medical Center ran the first study to test creatine in people with Alzheimer's disease. They called it the CABA study, which stands for "Creatine to Augment Bioenergetics in Alzheimer's disease." This single-arm pilot trial investigated the feasibility of 20 g/day creatine monohydrate for 8 weeks in 20 patients with Alzheimer's disease. The researchers wanted to see if people with Alzheimer's could safely take creatine and if it would help their thinking.

The study included 20 people with diagnosed Alzheimer's disease. Each person took 20 grams of creatine powder every day for eight weeks. This is much more than athletes usually take, but the researchers needed this higher amount to get creatine into the brain. The participants mixed the powder into drinks or food and took it throughout the day.

Nineteen participants achieved the target of ≥80% compliance with the creatine intervention. This means almost everyone in the study was able to take their creatine as directed. The researchers checked on the participants regularly and measured their brain function before and after the eight weeks. They used special brain scans to see how much creatine was actually getting into the brain.

Amazing Results That Surprised Scientists

The study results were better than anyone expected. Brain total creatine increased by 11% and cognition improved on global and fluid composites, List Sorting, Oral Reading, and Flanker tests. This was the first proof that taking creatine pills could actually increase creatine levels in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. The 11% increase was significant and showed the supplement was working.

But the brain changes were just the beginning. The people in the study also performed better on thinking tests. They showed improvements in several areas including overall brain function and fluid intelligence. Their memory got better, especially their ability to organize and remember lists of information. Reading skills improved, and they could focus their attention better during tests.

Study partners reported a total of 13 adverse events, all mild, which included cramping/muscle pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, facial flushing, and sleep disturbance. The side effects were minor and most people could handle them easily. No one had to stop the study because of serious health problems. This suggests that creatine is safe for people with Alzheimer's disease when used under medical supervision.

How Creatine Helps the Alzheimer's Brain

To understand why creatine helps, you need to know what goes wrong in Alzheimer's disease. Impaired brain energy metabolism is another pathological hallmark that precedes the onset of Alzheimer's disease that may provide a target for intervention. The brain cells of people with Alzheimer's have trouble making and using energy. It's like having a car with a weak battery that can't start properly.

Brain cells need constant energy to send messages to each other. When they don't have enough energy, they can't communicate well. This leads to memory problems, confusion, and other Alzheimer's symptoms. Recent studies using Alzheimer's disease mouse models have shown that supplementing with creatine improves brain bioenergetics, as well as Alzheimer's disease biomarkers and cognition. The animal studies showed that creatine could help fix these energy problems.

Creatine works by giving brain cells a quick source of energy when they need it most. Think of it as adding extra batteries to a flashlight that's getting dim. The creatine doesn't cure Alzheimer's disease, but it helps the remaining healthy brain cells work better. This improved function might slow down memory loss and help people think more clearly for longer.

Previous Research Supporting These Findings

Before this human study, scientists had already found hints that creatine might help with brain function. One study in the United Kingdom reported that subjects with an average age of 76 saw improvements in long-term memory when supplemented with 20 grams per day of creatine for 1 week. This earlier research in healthy older adults showed that creatine could improve memory even in people without Alzheimer's disease.

Animal studies have been even more promising. Studies on healthy individuals that have shown the positive effects of creatine supplementation on short-term memory and spatial memory along with studies that have reported the neuroprotective effects of creatine give rise to curiosity about how creatine supplementation can help people suffering from memory impairment. Researchers tested creatine in mice that were designed to have Alzheimer's-like brain problems.

The mouse studies showed that creatine could protect brain cells from damage. It also helped the mice perform better on memory tests. After six weeks the Morris Water Maze test was administered, to measure learning and memory retrieval. While mouse brains are different from human brains, these studies gave scientists hope that creatine might work in people too.

What This Means for Patients and Families

For families dealing with Alzheimer's disease, this research offers new hope. The study shows that a simple, available supplement might help slow down thinking problems. However, it's important to understand that this is just the beginning of research. Although practice effects are generally low in Alzheimer's disease and modest in the NIH Toolbox, because this was a single-arm trial, we cannot rule out the possibility that improvements may be the result of artifact. The researchers admit that larger studies are needed to prove creatine really works.

The improvements seen in the study were meaningful but not huge. People didn't suddenly get much better or return to normal thinking. Instead, they showed small but consistent improvements in several areas of brain function. For someone with Alzheimer's disease, even small improvements can make a big difference in daily life. Better memory and attention might help them stay independent longer.

Families should not see creatine as a miracle cure. Alzheimer's disease is complex and probably needs several different treatments working together. But creatine could become one useful tool in fighting memory loss. The fact that it's already available and relatively safe makes it different from new drugs that take years to develop and test.

Safety and Side Effects to Consider

The CABA study showed that most people with Alzheimer's can take creatine safely. The side effects were mild and similar to what healthy people experience. Some participants had stomach upset, muscle cramps, or trouble sleeping. These problems were not serious enough to make anyone quit the study. Most side effects got better as people's bodies got used to the creatine.

However, creatine isn't right for everyone. People with kidney problems should be extra careful because the kidneys process creatine. If an individual has kidney disease, I would suggest speaking with their physician or a medical professional before starting on creatine. Anyone thinking about trying creatine should talk to their doctor first, especially if they have other health conditions.

The dose used in the study was quite high - 20 grams per day. This is four times more than athletes typically use. Taking this much creatine means mixing powder into drinks several times per day. Some people might find this inconvenient or hard to remember. The high dose also makes creatine supplementation more expensive than typical vitamin supplements.

Limitations and the Need for More Research

While the CABA study results are exciting, scientists urge caution. The study was small, with only 20 people participating. This study is the first trial to investigate creatine monohydrate supplementation in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Larger studies with hundreds or thousands of people are needed to confirm these findings. The study also didn't have a control group taking fake pills, which makes it harder to know if the improvements were really from creatine.

Research on supplementation regimens is vital. Measurement of creatine brain content must be included in research. Future studies need to test different doses and treatment lengths. Some people might need more or less creatine to see benefits. Researchers also want to know if creatine works better when combined with other treatments.

Scientists are planning larger, longer studies right now. These will compare creatine to fake pills in people who don't know which they're taking. This type of study gives more reliable results. The research will also test whether creatine can help prevent Alzheimer's disease in people who don't have symptoms yet.

How Creatine Compares to Current Alzheimer's Treatments

Currently, doctors have only a few drugs approved for Alzheimer's disease. These medications can slow down symptoms for some people, but they don't cure the disease or help everyone. Development of Alzheimer's disease treatment has primarily centered on developing pharmaceuticals that target amyloid-β plaques in the brain, a hallmark pathological biomarker that precedes symptomatic Alzheimer's disease. Most research has focused on removing protein clumps from the brain, but this approach has had limited success.

Creatine works differently than current Alzheimer's drugs. Instead of trying to remove protein clumps, creatine helps brain cells work better with the energy they have. This could make creatine a good addition to other treatments. People might take creatine along with their other Alzheimer's medications to get better results.

Though recent clinical trials of novel drugs that target amyloid-β have demonstrated promising preliminary data, these pharmaceuticals have a poor history of developing into Alzheimer's disease treatments. The fact that many expensive drug trials have failed makes creatine more interesting. Creatine is already available, relatively cheap, and appears safe. If larger studies confirm it works, doctors could start recommending it much sooner than a new drug.

Choosing Quality Creatine: Sarcotine's Premium Approach

Not all creatine supplements are created equal, and quality matters especially when considering creatine for brain health. Sarcotine represents a premium approach to creatine supplementation, specifically designed for active adults who want maximum effectiveness. The company focuses on creating creatine that is rapidly absorbed and designed to cross the blood-brain barrier effectively. This is particularly important for cognitive benefits, as the creatine needs to actually reach brain cells to provide energy support.

Sarcotine's formulation addresses many concerns people have about creatine supplements. Their premium-grade formula is designed for maximum effectiveness without unnecessary fillers that can cause digestive upset. The company emphasizes that creatine is required for proper brain function, and as we age, creatine levels tend to decrease naturally. Their product aims to replenish these declining levels efficiently. For families considering creatine for Alzheimer's support, choosing a high-quality product like Sarcotine could make a significant difference in results.

The science behind Sarcotine aligns well with the CABA study findings. Research shows creatine doesn't just build muscle - it enhances brain function and supports overall health, making it essential for thriving as you age. This dual benefit of physical and cognitive support makes premium creatine particularly valuable for older adults. While the CABA study used 20 grams daily, having a high-quality, easily absorbed product could potentially allow for lower effective doses in some people.

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Practical Considerations for Implementation

If future research confirms creatine's benefits, several practical issues will need addressing. The 20-gram daily dose requires careful planning and preparation. Most creatine comes as an unflavored powder that needs to be mixed into liquids. Some people find the taste chalky or unpleasant. Taking such large amounts also means drinking extra fluids throughout the day.

Cost could be a barrier for some families. While creatine is cheaper than prescription drugs, taking 20 grams daily adds up over time. There is minimal risk when creatine is ingested in the recommended dosages: five to 20 grams per day. Insurance companies currently don't cover creatine supplements, so families would pay out of pocket. If research proves creatine works, insurance coverage might become available.

Quality control is another concern with supplements. Unlike prescription drugs, supplements aren't closely regulated by the FDA. This means the amount and purity of creatine can vary between brands. Families would need to choose reputable companies that test their products. Healthcare providers would need guidelines on which creatine products to recommend.

The Future of Creatine Research in Alzheimer's

The CABA study has opened new doors for Alzheimer's research. Scientists are now planning much larger studies to test creatine in hundreds of patients. Future research must include measurements of creatine brain content. These studies will use brain scans to make sure the creatine is actually reaching the brain and measure exactly how much gets there.

Researchers also want to test creatine in people with mild memory problems who don't have full Alzheimer's disease yet. If creatine can prevent or delay Alzheimer's symptoms, it could help millions of people. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on cognitive function in adults and explore its potential role in preventing and delaying cognitive impairment-related diseases. Prevention studies take longer to complete but could have even bigger impacts than treatment studies.

Scientists are excited about combining creatine with other promising treatments. Some researchers think creatine might work better when taken with certain vitamins, exercise programs, or other brain-healthy activities. The energy boost from creatine might help people benefit more from cognitive training or physical therapy. These combination approaches could lead to better results than any single treatment alone.

Hope for the Future

The CABA study represents a major step forward in Alzheimer's research. For the first time, scientists have shown that a simple supplement can improve brain function in people with this devastating disease. While more research is needed, the results give hope to millions of families worldwide. Creatine monohydrate supplementation was feasible in patients with Alzheimer's disease and was associated with increased brain total creatine and improvements in cognition.

The path from research discovery to widespread treatment is long and requires patience. But this study shows that simple, safe interventions might be part of the answer to Alzheimer's disease. As scientists continue their work, families can feel hopeful that new treatments are on the horizon. The fight against Alzheimer's disease is far from over, but studies like CABA prove that progress is possible.

For now, anyone interested in creatine for Alzheimer's should talk with their doctor. Medical supervision is essential, especially for people taking other medications or who have health conditions. While we wait for larger studies, the CABA research has given the medical community an important new direction to explore. The future of Alzheimer's treatment may include this humble supplement that athletes have used for decades.

References

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2. Taylor, M. K., Burns, J. M., Choi, I. Y., et al. (2024). Protocol for a single-arm, pilot trial of creatine monohydrate supplementation in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10, 42. https://pilotfeasibilitystudies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40814-024-01469-5

3. Smith, R. N., Agharkar, A. S., & Gonzales, E. B. (2014). A review of creatine supplementation in age-related diseases: more than a supplement for athletes. F1000Research, 3, 222. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4304302/
   

4. AliMohammadi, M., Eshraghian, M., Zarindast, M. R., et al. (2015). Effects of creatine supplementation on learning, memory retrieval, and apoptosis in an experimental animal model of Alzheimer disease. Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 29, 273. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4715403/

5. Ostojic, S. M. (2023). "Heads Up" for Creatine Supplementation and its Potential Applications for Brain Health and Function. Sports Medicine, 53, 1747-1770. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-023-01870-9

6. Xu, C., Bi, S., Zhang, W., & Luo, L. (2024). The effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1424972.