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Clinical trials

Novel Approach to Treating Dementia: Taxifolin May Hold Key to Cognitive Improvement

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Current research from the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Suita, Japan, suggests that existing treatments for dementia may only delay cognitive deterioration without improving cognitive function. This conclusion is based on preliminary findings from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 60 patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. The trial, known as the T-COG trial, is investigating the efficacy of taxifolin, a bioactive flavonoid with pleiotropic effects, in preventing further cognitive decline.

Key Takeaways:

  • The T-COG trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial involving 60 patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia.
  • Taxifolin shows pleiotropic effects, including inhibition of amyloid-b aggregation and oligomerization, stimulation of brain lymphatic vessel formation, and inhibition of hippocampal neuroinflammation.
  • The primary objective of the trial is to determine the effect of taxifolin on cognitive impairment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
  • The trial has a washout period of 6 weeks and will last for a total of 18 weeks, with patients taking either 100-mg taxifolin or placebo capsules orally once daily.
  • The trial is investigating the impact of taxifolin on prevention of further cognitive decline, as evaluated by changes in the scores for total Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 14 and trail making test, as well as changes in white matter hyperintensity volume and number of cerebral microbleeds on brain magnetic resonance imaging.
  • Taxifolin has a highly safe profile and inexpensive cost, making it a promising therapeutic approach for dementia.

Statistics:

  • 60 patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia are involved in the T-COG trial.
  • The trial has a washout period of 6 weeks.
  • Taxesifolin will be administered orally once daily for 12 weeks.
  • The primary objective of the trial is to determine the effect of taxifolin on cognitive impairment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
  • The trial has a total duration of 18 weeks.

Sources:

  • "Taxifolin for prevention of COGnitive impairment (T-COG trial): a study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial." Frontiers in Nutrition, 2025, 12.
  • NewsRx LLC, "New Data from National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Illuminate Research in Dementia [Taxifolin for prevention of COGnitive impairment (T-COG trial): a study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial]. Mental Health Weekly Digest, October 27, 2025; p 463."

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