Compared to other hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, synapse loss corrrelates best with impaired memory1-3. Synapses are continuously being remodelled, and synapse formation depends on the production of neuronal membranes, which primarly consist of phospholipds4,5.
How does Souvenaid work?
Souvenaid is a medical nutrition product that contains a unique patented combination of nutrients designed to support synapse formation in early Alzheimer's disease19
Souvenaid - a nutritional approach in early Alzheimer's disease
Souvenaid is a medical nutrition product that contains a unique, patented combination of nutrients designed to support synapse formation. Souvenaid, addresses the specific nutritional requirements of the Alzheimer's disease patient19.
Synapse loss in Alzheimer's disease
Fortasyn Connect™ - providing the nutritional components for synapse formation
The unique combination of nutritional precursors and cofactors in Souvenaid is known under the name Fortasyn Connect. These components work together to enhance phospholipid synthesis via the Kennedy pathway6-16 (Figure 1), and include specific precursors of phosphatidylcholine, the most abundant phospholipid in the brain:
- Long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) - docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA)
- Uridine supplied as uridine monophosphate (UMP)
- Choline
Fortasyn Connect also contains the following cofactors, all of which synergistically enhance bioavailability of the aforementioned three main precursors to enhance phospholipid synthesis:
- B vitamins
- Phospholipids
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Selenium
Figure 1: The biochemical pathway for synthesising new neuronal membranes
Adapted from Ritchie CW et al (2014)
The increased phospholipid synthesis supports the formation of neuronal membranes9. Preclinical models combining these nutritional precursors have demonstrated neurite outgrowth, increased dendritic spines density, increased levels of pre- and post-synaptic proteins, and improved learning6,8,12-13,17-18.
