Efficacy and safety of choline alphoscerate for amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundEffective interventions for overall healthy subjects with mild cognitive impairment are currently limited. Choline alphoscerate (alpha glyceryl phosphorylcholine, alpha GPC) is a choline-containing phospholipid used to treat cognitive function impairments in specific neurological conditions. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of alpha GPC in individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.MethodsIn this multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 100 study subjects with mild cognitive impairment underwent a double-blind SHCog (TM) soft capsule (600 mg alpha GPC) or placebo treatment for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome included changes from baseline on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). Safety assessments included regular monitoring of adverse events, and clinical laboratory tests were conducted at baseline and the end of the trial.ResultsAfter 12 weeks of alpha GPC treatment, the ADAS-cog score decreased by 2.34 points, which was significantly greater than the change observed in the placebo group. No serious AEs were reported, and no study subjects discontinued the intervention because of AEs. There was no significant difference in incidence rate of AEs between the alpha GPC group and the placebo group.ConclusionThis study suggests that alpha GPC is a safe and effective intervention for improving cognitive function in study subjects with mild cognitive impairment.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service; Osong (Chungcheongbuk-do): Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Health and Welfare (Republic of Korea); KCT0008797; A 12-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human application study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SH_CAPK08 on cognitive function improvement in mild cognitive decline.