Vitamin C plays an important role in the pathophysiology and potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD):
Several studies have found that vitamin C deficiency is associated with the progression of AD. Decreased plasma levels of vitamin C have been observed in AD patients[1]. Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant that is vital for proper neurological development and function[1]. Deficiency of vitamin C has been implicated in the disease progression of AD[1].
Treatment with high-dose vitamin C supplementation has been shown to have beneficial effects in AD. Studies in mouse models of AD found that high-dose vitamin C supplementation can reduce amyloid plaque burden in the brain, ameliorate blood-brain barrier disruption, and improve mitochondrial function[2][3]. This suggests that increasing vitamin C intake could be a protective strategy against AD-related pathologies[3].
Additionally, a critical review concluded that maintaining healthy vitamin C levels can have a protective function against age-related cognitive decline and AD[4]. However, the review also noted that simply taking vitamin C supplements may not be as beneficial as avoiding vitamin C deficiency through a healthy diet[4].
In summary, the evidence indicates that vitamin C deficiency is involved in the pathogenesis of AD, and increasing vitamin C intake, either through diet or supplementation, may have therapeutic potential for slowing or preventing the progression of AD[1][2][3][4][5].
Citations:
[1] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.970263/full
[2] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110818101645.htm
[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/cddis201426
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3727637/
[5] https://news.vumc.org/2017/12/01/vitamin-c-deficiency-mitochondrial-dysfunction-alzheimers/