继研究发现手机辐射或可治疗阿尔茨海默氏症（老年痴呆症）后，美法两国科学家日前又在最新一期的美国《阿尔茨海默氏症与痴呆》（Alzheimer’s & Dementia）上撰文称，草莓奶昔中所特有的营养元素能有效帮助早期老年痴呆症患者提高记忆力。相信在不远的将来，科学家和饮料制造商就会携手推出方便每日饮用的保健饮品。

此前有研究表明，欧米珈-3脂肪酸、尿苷、胆碱、维生素B和抗氧化剂都能够有效帮助早期老年痴呆症患者提高记忆力，而这些营养物质都能够在母乳中找到。但是，让老年痴呆症患者每日喝人奶显然是不现实的医疗方法。

经过法国达能集团和美国麻省理工学院多年的研究，科学家终于在草莓奶昔这种大众喜爱的饮品中找到了相同的营养物质。研究人员称，每天早餐时饮用一杯草莓奶昔，可以显著提高记忆力，这一变化在老年痴呆症早期患者身上尤为显著。

统计显示，仅在全英范围内，就有40万老年痴呆症患者，而且专家预计，在一代人的时间里，全英老年痴呆症的患病人数将会倍增。从目前看来，医学界并没有找到能够有效治疗此病的药物，只能眼看病魔慢慢夺去患者的记忆。

在连续饮用草莓奶昔3个月后，麻省理工学院的研究人员发现，那些参与此次医学实验的老年痴呆症早期患者的记忆力真的有所提高。在测试前，研究人员向患者讲述了一个短小的故事，一个半小时之后再让他们复述，结果发现大多数患者都还记得故事的内容。相较那些没有在早餐时坚持饮用草莓奶昔的患者，这一发现着实令人振奋。据医生介绍，短期记忆能力差是老年痴呆症的一个重要特征。

与美国科学家一道完成这项研究的法国达能集团表示，他们将在未来两年内研制出含有更丰富营养物质和保健效果的草莓奶昔饮品，从而让更多出现早期老年痴呆症的人受益。

原始出处：

Alzheimer's & Dementia Volume 6, Issue 1, Pages 1-10.e1 (January 2010)

Efficacy of a medical food in mild Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, controlled trial

Philip Scheltensa, Patrick J.G.H. Kamphuisb, Frans R.J. Verheyc, Marcel G.M. Olde Rikkertd, Richard J. Wurtmane, David Wilkinsonf, Jos W.R. Twiskg, Alexander Kurzh

Objective

To investigate the effect of a medical food on cognitive function in people with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

A total of 225 drug-na?ve AD patients participated in this randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Patients were randomized to active product, Souvenaid, or a control drink, taken once-daily for 12 weeks. Primary outcome measures were the delayed verbal recall task of the Wechsler Memory Scale–revised, and the 13-item modified Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale–cognitive subscale at week 12.

Results

At 12 weeks, significant improvement in the delayed verbal recall task was noted in the active group compared with control (P = .021). Modified Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale–cognitive subscale and other outcome scores (e.g., Clinician Interview Based Impression of Change plus Caregiver Input, 12-item Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Alzheimer's disease Co-operative Study–Activities of Daily Living, Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease) were unchanged. The control group neither deteriorated nor improved. Compliance was excellent (95%) and the product was well tolerated.

Conclusions

Supplementation with a medical food including phosphatide precursors and cofactors for 12 weeks improved memory (delayed verbal recall) in mild AD patients. This proof-of-concept study justifies further clinical trials.

a Alzheimer Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
b Danone Research, Centre for Specialised Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
c Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands
d Alzheimer Centre Nijmegen, Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands
e Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
f Memory Assessment and Research Centre, Moorgreen Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
g Department of Health Sciences, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
h Department of Psychiatry, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universit?t München, Germany