Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) have been investigated as a supportive intervention for Alzheimer's disease (AD) primarily based on the "ketogenic hypothesis." In Alzheimer's disease, the brain's ability to utilize glucose is impaired, leading to energy deficits that may contribute to neurodegeneration. MCTs are rapidly converted in the liver to ketone bodies, which can serve as an alternative energy source for neurons. Several small clinical trials and animal studies have explored whether increasing ketone availability via MCT supplementation can improve cognitive function in AD patients.

The most notable evidence comes from randomized controlled trials, such as the study of AC-1202 (a proprietary MCT formulation), which showed modest improvements in cognitive performance in some patients with mild to moderate AD, particularly in those who do not carry the APOE4 gene variant. However, the overall effects are relatively small and not universally observed across all study populations. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that while there is a plausible biological rationale and some clinical signal, the evidence is preliminary and insufficient to recommend MCTs as a standard treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Larger, longer-term studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety.

In summary, MCTs are supported by a limited but growing body of scientific research for their use in Alzheimer's disease, though the evidence is not yet robust and should be interpreted cautiously.