Prevagen for Memory Loss: Does It Really Work? - GoodRx (2024)

Where did I put the car keys? Did I lock the door before I left the house this morning? What did I walk into this room for?

We all ask ourselves these types of questions from time to time. But even though occasional episodes of forgetfulness are normal, people sometimes worry that these are signs of something more serious like Alzheimer’s disease. Over 6 million people over 65 years old in the U.S. currently have this condition, and experts believe this number will double over the next 30 years.

With these numbers, it’s no surprise that people want to do everything they can to prevent memory loss. And, it’s not just older adults. With long-lasting “brain fog” in people who have recovered from COVID-19, people of all ages are looking for ways to boost their memory, focus, and other brain functions.

One over-the-counter (OTC) medication gaining popularity among these groups is Prevagen, a supplement marketed to support brain health. But does it actually help prevent symptoms of dementia before they start? Stick with us as we discuss whether Prevagen can really enhance your memory.

What is Prevagen?

Prevagen is a brand of OTC supplements that come as once-daily oral capsules or chewable tablets. Each version contains 50 mcg (2,000 units) of vitamin D3 and varying amounts of apoaequorin, a protein found in certain types of jellyfish. The three different strengths of Prevagen contain either 10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg of apoaequorin.

The makers of Prevagen also offer a protein shake mix called NeuroShake, but this product does not contain either of these ingredients. Instead, it contains protein, calcium, and phosphorus. This article will only be discussing the oral capsules and tablets.

How do the ingredients in Prevagen work to support brain health?

Research on Prevagen is limited, so there are still a lot of questions regarding how it is absorbed by and works in the body. In order to explain what we do know, we have to discuss the possible role each main ingredient might play in brain health.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a nutrient our bodies make when we’re exposed to sunlight. While some studies are suggesting taking vitamin D supplements may help prevent various chronic conditions, none are conclusive. The only thing researchers are certain of is that vitamin D is essential to help our bodies properly absorb and use calcium — a mineral necessary for healthy bones.

Regardless, scientists keep researching if this vitamin has other benefits. A study from 2017 found a possible link between moderate or severe vitamin D deficiency and visual memory loss. The study authors noted this finding does not mean low vitamin D levels cause memory loss and called for further research in this area.

Based on this and other similar studies, some OTC manufacturers promote taking vitamin D to prevent memory loss. However, there are no studies showing regular use of this supplement prevents memory loss.

Apoaequorin

As mentioned earlier, apoaequorin is a protein found in a type of jellyfish. In laboratory experiments, apoaequorin acts similar to a protein in our bodies called calmodulin. Calmodulin is thought to play an important role in memory, although research on it is limited. This is the reasoning behind Prevagen’s choice of ingredient.

One concern with placing apoaequorin in a capsule or tablet is that there may be problems with how it is absorbed. When you consume a protein by mouth, your stomach and pancreas quickly start working together to break it down and digest it. This makes creating successful oral protein-based medications very difficult and is the reason why many of these medications are injectable only.

Because Prevagen is an OTC supplement, it is not required to undergo testing to show exactly how it works in the body after you take a dose. So, there’s a possibility that the apoaequorin may be broken down while in the stomach instead of absorbed, leading to questions of how it can reach the brain to help with memory loss.

Prevagen claims

The manufacturers of Prevagen claim that regular use of their product can help with mild memory loss that is considered to be a normal part of getting older (meaning not due to a medical condition like Alzheimer’s disease). It is not intended for people with moderate or severe memory loss.

It’s important to note that, according to the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), OTC supplement manufacturers are not supposed to make claims saying they can treat, cure, or prevent illnesses or chronic conditions. Prevagen’s manufacturer, Quincy Bioscience, has actually been investigated by both organizations over the years for misleading advertisements and for stating their products have been “clinically proven” to work.

Is there any scientific evidence supporting Prevagen’s claims?

The evidence to support Prevagen’s use is limited and flawed. Quincy Bioscience published a small study in 2016 comparing 10 mg of apoaequorin per day to placebo (a pill with no medication in it) for 90 days. All study participants self-identified as having memory problems, but none had any serious memory loss conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

At the end of the study, people taking apoaequorin had higher scores than those taking placebo on some of the tests used to measure their overall memory. The study authors noted the difference between the two groups was significant, and Quincy Bioscience — who also sponsored the study — has been using these results to back up Prevagen’s claims.

But there are a few issues with the study. First, it only included a little over 200 participants and only ran for 90 days. This number of people is smaller than what we typically require when trying to prove a medication is effective for the general population. Also, conducting the study for only 90 days means we don’t know the long-term safety or effectiveness of Prevagen.

Another problem with this study is the types of tests the researchers used to test memory. None of the cognitive assessments used in this study are standard tests used by healthcare providers to look for and diagnose memory loss conditions. Using a non-standard test makes the results difficult to interpret, so we can’t say for sure just how effective Prevagen is.

Is Prevagen FDA-approved for memory loss?

No, Prevagen is not an FDA-approved medication and should not be taken if you have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Dietary supplements like Prevagen do not require FDA approval to be sold OTC, as long as they do not make claims to treat, cure, or prevent medical conditions. This typically means testing on how safe and effective they are and what medications they interact with are limited.

Are there any FDA-approved treatments for memory loss?

There are currently five medications that are FDA-approved to treat memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease:

• Donepezil (Aricept)

• Memantine (Namenda)

• Namzaric

• Rivastigmine (Exelon)

• Galantamine (Razadyne)

It’s important to note that these medications do not cure Alzheimer’s disease — they can only help prevent the condition from worsening. They also are not approved to help prevent this condition or prevent memory loss in people without Alzheimer’s disease.

Experts still don’t know what causes dementia, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for preventing it. Certain lifestyle changes — adopting a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, and challenging yourself with puzzles, hobbies, or new tasks — are currently the best recommendations available to help keep your mind sharp and brain healthy.