Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC)

This naturally occurring molecule is involved in the transport of fats into the mitochondria, the energy producing part of all living cells, and is found in some common foods such as milk. Acetyl-L-carnitine is related to choline compounds, both chemically and in clinical effects. In animal studies, long term administration of ALC preserves spatial memory in aged, and improved learning and memory in mice and rats.

ALC may also have some important properties of protecting the brain from the effects of aging. NMDA-sensitive glutamate receptors in the brain are important for learning, but they decrease with age. One study of these receptors in rat brains found that ALC has a neuroprotective and neurotrophic (brain-cell nourishing) effect during aging.

Of great interest to researchers is ALC's ability to inhibit the formation of lipofuscin in the brains of aged laboratory animals. The build up of these fatty deposits in the nerve cells is associated with a reduction of cognitive powers.

In human studies, ALC has increased attention span and alertness in people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of senility. One study using 2000mg of ALC per day showed small but significant improvements in short term memory in people with Alzheimer's. Another recent study, reported at the 14th International Congress of Gerontology, found that ALC increased brain levels of choline acetyltransferase. Low levels of this enzyme are found in Alzheimer's patients, and is the major reason for their severe deficiency of acetylcholine.

One study treated 20 patients with 1500mg ALC per day for six months. All patients had involutional symptoms (the regressive changes in the body occurring with old age). They were being treated by a rehabilitation therapist for their concomitant decrease of motor activities. This long term study found that the patients improved on measures of cognitive ability, depression, and self-sufficiency. It also found an improvement in social life and motor activity in these patients.

Another study gave 500mg of ALC per day to a group of 20 persons with senility (20 others were given placebo). The researchers found a significant improvement in several measures of senility.

In one study of hospitalized geriatric patients, ALC was shown to be effective for the treatment of depression. Precautions: Studies on humans have not found any toxic effects or significant side effects. This does not mean that there are no negative effects, it only means we have not seen any evidence for negative effects. Dosage: 1000mg-2000mg per day in two divided doses.