Vitamin E has been investigated as a potential therapy for dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, due to its antioxidant properties. Oxidative stress is believed to contribute to neuronal degeneration in dementia, and vitamin E, as a fat-soluble antioxidant, may help reduce this damage. Some clinical trials, such as the Vitamin E in Alzheimer’s Disease Study (Sano et al., 1997, published in New England Journal of Medicine), found that high-dose vitamin E (2,000 IU/day) modestly delayed the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in terms of loss of daily living skills, compared to placebo. However, cognitive decline itself was not significantly slowed.

Later reviews and meta-analyses have presented mixed results. The Cochrane Review (2017) concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support routine vitamin E supplementation for dementia prevention or treatment, with some studies showing no benefit and others showing only mild effects. There have also been safety concerns about high-dose vitamin E, including increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke and all-cause mortality in some analyses.

In summary, while vitamin E has a scientific rationale and some early clinical trial support for use in dementia, especially Alzheimer’s, the overall evidence is mixed and not strong. It is not widely recommended as a primary treatment, but its use has a scientific rather than purely traditional basis.