Acetyl-L-carnitine is an acetylated form of L-carnitine (i.e., it has an acetyl functional group attached to it) that can cross the blood-brain barrier, and is claimed to have neurophysiological effects.[1] Supplementation with acetyl-L-carnitine shows some efficacy in improving the symptoms of depression[2] as well as minor benefits to some aspects of cognitive function.[3][4][5] However, higher-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to bolster the current evidence in these areas.
References
- ^Rebouche CJKinetics, pharmacokinetics, and regulation of L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine metabolismAnn N Y Acad Sci.(2004 Nov)
- ^Nicola Veronese, Brendon Stubbs, Marco Solmi, Olesya Ajnakina, Andre F Carvalho, Stefania MaggiAcetyl-L-Carnitine Supplementation and the Treatment of Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisPsychosom Med.(Feb/Mar 2018)
- ^Hudson S, Tabet NAcetyl-L-carnitine for dementia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2003)
- ^Chen N, Yang M, Zhou M, Xiao J, Guo J, He LL-carnitine for cognitive enhancement in people without cognitive impairment.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2017-Mar-26)
- ^Montgomery SA, Thal LJ, Amrein RMeta-analysis of double blind randomized controlled clinical trials of acetyl-L-carnitine versus placebo in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's diseaseInt Clin Psychopharmacol.(2003 Mar)