Pilot Study of the Effects of Resveratrol Supplement in Mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's Disease

Background: Many animal and in vitro studies have shown that resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenol found in red wine, can increase cognition, reduce neural degeneration, promote clearance of amyloid-beta peptides, and alter aging mechanisms. Therefore, resveratrol may reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and possibly its pathology. Objective: A pilot study to determine the effects of resveratrol on cognitive, behavioral and global functioning in patients with mild-to-moderate AD on standard therapy. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants: 50 patients with mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) defined as a Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) between 10-27 will be enrolled in the study. Patients must have an established diagnosis of AD by NINCDS diagnostic criteria, be on stable dose of cognitive enhancing medications (cholinesterase inhibitor and/or NMDA receptor antagonist) Screening/Enrollment: Institutional Review Board approval will be obtained. The chart review and the enrollment discussion will be carried out by a non-physician member of the research team. Participants will be screened and randomized until a total of 50 eligible patients, 25 in each arm are obtained.