"A daily drink combining several nutrients appears to help people with early Alzheimers disease improve their memory a new study suggests. As Alzheimers progresses patients lose their memory as synapses connections between brain cells deteriorate according to background information included in the study. The new drink called Souvenaid may actually stimulate the growth of new synapses said the drinks inventor Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientist Dr. Richard Wurtman. But more research is needed before the drink could be made available to the public. And even then consumers should exercise caution said William Thies vice president for medical and scientific affairs at the Alzheimers Association. Nutricia a division of Dannon sponsored the study. MIT has a patent on Souvenaid and Nutricia has the exclusive license on the patent. Existing data now suggests that it may be possible to receive something that will sustain cognition in people with Alzheimers disease with a limited concern about side effects Wurtman said. Previous experiments in animals showed that giving them the three compounds included in the drink increased the production of synapses improving brain function he said. For the new study nearly  early Alzheimers patients in Europe drank either Souvenaid or a placebo for six months.  During the first three months of the study patients in both groups showed improved memory. After that however patients taking the placebo had a decline in memory. In contrast patients taking Souvenaid continued to show improved memory on tests used to assess Alzheimers patients. Whether Souvenaid will slow the progression of Alzheimers isnt known. There is however a longer trial going on that might answer that question Wurtman said. I dont think it has any effect on the fundamental diseases process but well see he said.  The report was published in the July  online edition of the Journal of Alzheimers Disease. The drink combines three ingredients choline uridine and omega fatty acids.  Choline is a B vitamin found in meats nuts and eggs and omega fatty acids are found in fish eggs flaxseed and meat from grassfed animals. Uridine which is produced by the liver and kidneys is also found in some foods as a part of RNA which helps make protein in the body. These nutrients along with other proteins are essential for making braincell membranes that form synapses. To be effective all three compounds must be given together the researchers said. Nearly all patients drank the nutrient cocktail consistently throughout the study and there were no serious side effects the researchers reported. To show the drinks effect on the brain patients underwent electroencephalography EEG throughout the trial. During the study the brains of those taking the drink shifted from patterns of dementia to more normal ones the researchers found. Since EEG patterns reflect the activity of synapses this result suggests that synaptic function increased with treatment the researchers said. An earlier study found that patients with more advanced Alzheimers did not benefit from Souvenaid most likely because brains cells had already been lost so new synapses couldnt develop Wurtman said. There are as yet no plans to market Souvenaid so the cost hasnt been established company spokesman William Green said. Souvenaid is a test product in development which is still undergoing clinical trials Green said. No plans for the introduction of Souvenaid to the market  either in Europe or the U.S.  have been confirmed. It is probable that any introduction would take place first in Europe. An ongoing study will evaluate the product over two years. If it appears to have a positive effect then it may be something that could benefit patients even before definitive symptoms of Alzheimers appear Wurtman said.  Thies of the Alzheimers Association is very cautious about the benefits of Souvenaid. Medical foods do not have a requirement for FDA premarket approval but they do have a requirement for having a scientific foundation and some evidence of efficacy he said. But they dont have the kind of data we would find for a medication. That makes it difficult to make a clearcut statement about the value of the product he said. There isnt a clear diet that prevents you from getting Alzheimers disease or improves your memory Thies said.  In addition medical foods for Alzheimers most likely wont be covered by insurance he said. You are making a judgment without the protections you have when dealing with a medication Thies said. Youre going to be making a decision using your own funds and we would advise anybody to make sure they understand what the product offers and make sure they understand what its going to cost. More information For more about Alzheimers disease visit the Alzheimers Association http SOURCES Richard Wurtman M.D. professor emeritus of brain and cognitive sciences Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston William Thies Ph.D. vice president medical and scientific affairs Alzheimers Association Chicago William Green spokesman Nutricia July   Journal of Alzheimers Disease online"