Choline bitartrate treatment of Alzheimer-type dementias

We conducted a double-blind, placebo controlled study of the effects of choline bitartrate on intellectual performance in 5 patients with early Alzheimer-type dementia. Three doses of choline bitartrate (8 gm, 12 gm, and 16 gm) were given for two weeks each with a two-week placebo period either preceding (N=2) or following (N=3) the drug period. Cognitive testing was administered during a baseline period and thereafter once a week for the duration of the study. Comparing drug condition with placebo, we found significant improvement for auditory and visual word recognition at 12 gm per day of choline bitartrate. The mean plasma choline level nearly doubled from baseline to 12 gm per day. These results suggest improvement in some aspects of cognitive performance during choline bitartrate treatment.