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Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation on the Cognitive Function of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

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Abstract

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) comprises 60–70% of diagnosed dementia cases, and is characterized by the deposition of β-amyloid peptide and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein. Resveratrol is a neuroprotective agent acting in the prevention of redox impairment in addition to exerting anti-apoptotic actions on brain cells. An ability to reduce neuronal damage in patients with AD has been suggested by preclinical studies.

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the evidence in the published literature from studies that evaluated the effects of supplementation with resveratrol, alone or in a solution with glucose and malate (RGM), on the functional and cognitive performance of patients with AD, as assessed by validated instruments.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus databases including articles published up to August 2021. Randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trials that reported cognitive and functional performance, as measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale—Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog), Cooperative Study of Alzheimer's Disease—Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL), or the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), in AD patients treated with resveratrol, alone or as RGM, were included.

Results

After 1855 studies were identified, 24 RCTs underwent full-text review, with 20 studies excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Thus, four RCTs were included in the qualitative analyses. The findings demonstrate that there are still few studies in humans, but they showed that this polyphenol acts in the delay of cognitive impairment in patients with AD, when administered alone or in combination with glucose and malate.

Conclusions

Supplementation with resveratrol seems to influence the progressive cognitive and functional decline in AD patients, when compared with a placebo group.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42021229234.

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Acknowledgements

AFSF, PC and KBG offer thanks to the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brazil for the research grants. JAGT offers her thanks to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brazil for the research grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Presidente Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil

    Jéssica Abdo Gonçalves Tosatti, Adriana Fialho da Silva Fontes & Karina Braga Gomes

  2. Department of Medical Clinical, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Professor Alfredo Balena Avenue, 190, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil

    Paulo Caramelli

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  1. Jéssica Abdo Gonçalves Tosatti
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Correspondence to Karina Braga Gomes.

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This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors JAGT, AFSF, PC and KBG declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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AFSF, JAGT and KBG designed and conducted the study. AFSF, JAGT and KBG analyzed the data. AFSF, JAGT, KBG and PC wrote, revised the article, and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Tosatti, J.A.G., Fontes, A.F.d., Caramelli, P. et al. Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation on the Cognitive Function of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Drugs Aging 39, 285–295 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-022-00923-4

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