Affiliations: [a] IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, Rome, Italy | [b] Policlinico Umberto I, II Clinica Medica, Sapienza Università, Rome, Italy | [c]
San Giovanni Hospital, Department of Neurology, Rome, Italy | [d]
Tor Vergata University, Department of Medicine of Systems, Rome, Italy | [e] Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro di Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Rome, Italy
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Gianfranco Spalletta, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Via Ardeatina, 306-00179–Rome, Italy. Tel./Fax: +39 06 51501575; E-mail: g.spalletta@hsantalucia.it.
Abstract: Homotaurine supplementation may have a positive effect on early Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we investigated its potential neuroprotective effect on the hippocampus structure and episodic memory performances in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Neuropsychological, clinical, and neuroimaging assessment in 11 treated and 22 untreated patients were performed at baseline and after 1 year. Magnetic resonance data were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry to explore significant differences (Family Wise Error corrected) between the two groups over time. Patients treated with homotaurine showed decreased volume loss in the left and right hippocampal tail, left and right fusiform gyrus, and right inferior temporal cortex which was associated with improved short-term episodic memory performance as measured by the recency effect of the Rey 15-word list learning test immediate recall. Thus, homotaurine supplementation in individuals with aMCI has a positive effect on hippocampus atrophy and episodic memory loss. Future studies should further clarify the mechanisms of its effects on brain morphometry.
