In a study independently designed by the Department of Veterans Affairs cooperative Studies Program, high doses of vitamin E (Quali-E by DSM Nutritional Products), resulted in slower functional decline in Alzheimer's Disease when compared with a placebo (JAMA. 2014 Jan 1;311(1):33-44).
The double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized clinical trial included the results of 561 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease. Participants received either 2,000 IU/day of vitamin E, 20 mg/day of memantine (a drug under investigation for its role in the treatment of dementia and Alzheimers), the combination of both or a placebo. The study began in August 2007 and concluded in September 2012 at 14 Veterans Affairs medical centers.
The vitamin E only group saw a delayed rate of clinical progression of Alzheimer's Disease by 19 percent or 6/2 months over the follow-up period and reduced caregiver time by nearly two hours per day, compared to the placebo. There were no significant differences in the groups receiving memantine only or memantine combined with vitamin E. The daily high dose of vitamin E did not raise any safety concerns.