THE Winifred Masterson Burke Rehabilitation Hospital

• A Phase 2A-2B clinical trial, Benfoteam, is underway to evaluate benfotiamine, a thiamine precursor, for slowing Alzheimer's progression in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. • The trial, involving 406 participants across 50 sites, aims to determine the optimal safe dose of benfotiamine and its impact on global function and cognition over 18 months. • Benfotiamine targets thiamine deficiency, hypothesized to alter glucose metabolism in brain cells, potentially addressing the root cause of Alzheimer's disease, unlike current treatments focused on amyloid plaques. • Previous pilot studies showed promising results, with benfotiamine increasing blood thiamine levels and reducing cognitive decline, warranting further investigation into its efficacy.

A nationwide Phase 2A-2B clinical trial, named BenfoTeam, is underway to assess benfotiamine, a synthetic form of vitamin B1, for treating mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease.