Coconut Oil for Alzheimer’s Disease

Recruiting

The goal of this randomized study is to determine the efficacy of coconut oil as a possible treatment for older adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Patient Qualifications:

• Diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
• Study partner who spends at least 10 hours/week with the participant and can attend clinic visits and provide information about the participant
• Mini-Mental State Examination score of 16-26; Rosen Modified Hachinski Ischemic score of ≤4
• Must undergo ApoE genetic laboratory testing at the baseline visit
• If taking Alzheimer’s disease medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, or galantamine) and/or memantine, must be on stable dose for at least 3 months prior to screening and agree not to change these medications during the course of the study, unless medically necessary
• If taking memory-enhancing nonprescription supplements (for example, gingko biloba, huperzine, resveratrol, or docosahexaenoic acid), must be on stable dose for at least 3 months prior to screening and agree not to change these medications during the course of the study
• Fluent in English

• Significant neurological or medical disease, other than Alzheimer’s, that may affect cognition
• Current major psychiatric disorder or symptoms that could affect the participant’s ability to complete the study
• Geriatric Depression Scale score of more than 6 or suicidal ideation
• Current, clinically significant chronic illness, such as uncontrolled diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, that is likely to result in deterioration of the participant’s condition or safety during the study
• History of clinically evident stroke, history of clinically significant carotid or vertebrobasilar stenosis, plaque or other risk factors for thromboembolic stroke
• History of seizures
• Myocardial infarction within the last 2 years; abnormal electrocardiogram at screening visit; uncontrolled hypertension within 6 months prior to screening
• Cancer within the last 3 years, with the exception some carcinomas of the skin
• Clinically significant infection within 30 days prior to screening.
• Use of experimental or other investigational medications/devices for treatment within 90 days prior to screening
• Laboratory findings of fasting total cholesterol greater than or equal to 240 mg/dL, fasting triglycerides greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL, or fasting glucose greater than or equal to 126 mg/dL
• Other clinically significant abnormality seen on physical, neurological, laboratory, vital signs, or ECG examination (for example, changes consistent with recent infarction, ischemia, clinically significant arrhythmias, and clinically significant conduction defects)
• Have taken coconut oil as a supplement or Axona™ (a medical food) within the last 30 days

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is designed to determine the effect of taking coconut oil on the cognition, functioning, and behavior of older adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. Participants will take a proprietary blend of coconut and medium-chain triglyceride oils, administered as a 1-ounce drink three times daily, for either Months 1-3 or Months 4-6 of the study; a placebo will be taken during the other 3-month period. The study medication formula is Cognate Nutritionals’ Fuel for Thought™.

Locations:

Lead Sponsor:

Collaborator Sponsor:

Facility Investigators:

Study Contact:

NCT01883648 (follow link to view full record on ct.gov in new window)

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, 6 Month Cross-Over Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Coconut Oil (Fuel for Thought™) Treatment for Subjects With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease

June 2013

December 2015

Early

Middle

65