Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha-GPC
For the health condition: Dementia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Alpha-GCP (alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, also known as Alpha-GPC) is a cholinergic compound used as a dietary supplement, primarily for its potential cognitive-enhancing effects. Its use for supporting or treating dementia is based on its ability to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter crucial for learning and memory that is often deficient in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Several clinical studies and meta-analyses have assessed Alpha-GPC's efficacy in dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Some randomized controlled trials have demonstrated modest improvements in cognitive function, global impression, and daily living activities in patients with cognitive decline when compared to placebo or other cholinergic agents. For example, a 2003 meta-analysis (Barbagallo Sangiorgi et al.) reviewing 13 clinical studies involving over 4,000 participants found that Alpha-GPC produced statistically significant improvements in cognition and function in dementia patients. However, the studies varied in quality and duration, and most were conducted in Europe with relatively short follow-up periods.

The European Medicines Agency recognizes Alpha-GPC as a prescription drug in some countries for cognitive impairment in dementia, but it is not approved for this use in the United States. Overall, while there is moderate scientific evidence supporting Alpha-GPC’s use for dementia, larger and longer-term studies are needed to establish its effectiveness and safety profile definitively.

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Products containing Alpha-GPC

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