Retrospective cohort study of the efficacy of caprylic triglyceride in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of caprylic triglyceride (CT) in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) in routine clinical practice via review of medical records and caregiver questionnaires. Methods: Participants were outpatients aged >= 50 years with a diagnosis of probable mild-to-moderate AD who had received CT for >= 6 months. The primary outcome was change from baseline in the patient's condition as rated by the treating physician using a physician's overall assessment. Results: A total of 55 patients were included. The physician's overall assessment indicated that similar to 80% of patients who had CT added to ongoing pharmacotherapy were stable or improved. Mini-Mental State Examination scores also remained stable over 15 months of therapy (20.6 +/- 3.0 at baseline and 20.1 +/- 5.6 at follow-up, P = 0.5233, n = 27). Caregiver assessments indicated that most patients were stable or improved with respect to memory and ability to carry out activities of daily living. The most frequent adverse events with CT involved the gastrointestinal system. Conclusion: Results from this chart review indicate that addition of CT to pharmacotherapy was associated with stable disease or improvement over a follow-up period of 18.8 months.