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# Alpha-lipoic acid helps memory, but shortens lifespan
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/alpha-lipoic_acid_alzheimer_s_disease_0713120730/
- Published: 2012-07-13T20:29:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:01:24.000Z
- Description: In SAMP8 mice, alpha-lipoic acid improved memory and reversed markers of oxidative stress but cut survival from 34 weeks to 20. The authors suggest other antioxidants may behave the same way, helping memory while shortening lifespan.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Supplements, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

By david Liu PHD

Friday July 13, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study suggests that taking alpha lipoic acid supplements may help Alzheimer's disease patients maintain memory and reduce oxidative stress, but may shorten their lifespan.

Farr SA of Saint Louis University School of Medicine and colleagues found mice receiving alpha lipoic acid decreased survival from 34 weeks to 20 weeks.

The researchers also found 18-month old mice given alpha-lipoic acid for two weeks improved their memory and learning capability.

In the study, Farr et al. administered alpha-lipoic acid daily to SAMP8 mice starting at 11 months of age until they died. Mice that received alpha-lipoic acid significantly increased glutathione levels and decreased glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde, suggesting reversal of oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is linked with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease and early research found antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid improves memory in mice with Alzheimer's disease.

The authors suggested in their study report published in the July 11, 2012 issue of Journal of Alzheimer's disease that other antioxidants act just like alpha-lipoic acid in that they help memory, but shorten the lifespan of mice.

Alzheimer's disease may affect about 5 million Americans. There is no cure for this disease. Research now suggests Alzheimer's disease can be a disease caused by the same prion protein that causes mad cow disease.

Alpha-lipoic acid is well studied and found to help prevent or treat health conditions including organ dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction and albuminuria, cardiovascular disease, chronic wound healing, burning mouth syndrome, iron overload, metabolic syndrome, age-related cognitive dysfunction, the progression of Alzheimer's disease, migraines, multiple sclerosis, chronic disease associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, advanced glycation end products, and peripheral artery disease.