NeuroAid is a natural health product developed to support brain recovery and overall neurological well-being. It is often considered a supplement that draws from traditional medical practices to offer potential benefits for individuals facing various neurological challenges. The product is designed to work alongside conventional treatments, aiming to enhance the body’s natural processes for self-repair after brain injury or cognitive decline.
What NeuroAid Is
NeuroAid is a formulation derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), composed of a blend of natural ingredients. The current formulation, known as MLC901 (NeuroAiD II), contains nine botanical components. These include Astragalus membranaceus (astragalus root), Salvia miltiorrhiza (red sage), Paeonia lactiflora (red peony), Ligusticum chuanxiong (Szechwan lovage), Angelica sinensis (Chinese angelica), Carthamus tinctorius (safflower), Prunus persica (peach seed), Polygala tenuifolia (thinleaf milkwort), and Acorus tatarinowii (grassleaf sweetflag). An earlier version, MLC601, also included five animal-derived components, but this formulation has not been marketed since 2018.
The combination of these herbs in MLC901 is believed to provide a synergistic effect due to their various active compounds. NeuroAid is presented as an oral capsule.
Conditions NeuroAid Aims to Address
A significant focus for NeuroAid is on aiding recovery after stroke, particularly in the non-acute phase. This includes both ischemic stroke, where blood flow to the brain is interrupted, and hemorrhagic stroke, which involves bleeding in the brain.
Beyond stroke, NeuroAid also aims to address the aftermath of traumatic brain injury (TBI), including mild to moderate forms. It is also explored for its potential in improving general cognitive impairment and supporting cognitive function in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. The product is typically used as an adjunctive treatment, meaning it is intended to be used in addition to existing medical care and rehabilitation.
How NeuroAid is Believed to Work
NeuroAid’s mechanisms of action involve several pathways that contribute to brain repair and recovery. Laboratory studies suggest that it promotes neuroprotection, shielding brain cells from damage, and neurogenesis, which is the growth of new brain cells. It is also thought to enhance neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.
The formulation is believed to stimulate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that plays a role in neuronal survival, growth, and the development of dense axonal and dendritic networks. NeuroAid also appears to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help modulate inflammation in the brain following an injury, thereby promoting neural repair. Additionally, it may stimulate localized angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, to improve blood supply to affected areas, contributing to neurovascular repair.
The Science Behind NeuroAid’s Claims
Research on NeuroAid, particularly MLC901, has explored its efficacy in various neurological conditions. Clinical trials have investigated its role in post-stroke recovery. Some studies indicate benefits in improving functional outcomes and neurological deficits in patients with ischemic stroke, especially when treatment begins within one week to six months after the event. These benefits, particularly in achieving functional independence, have been observed as early as three months and sustained for at least two years, especially when combined with rehabilitation.
However, the large-scale CHIMES study, an international randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 1100 patients with acute ischemic stroke, concluded that NeuroAid was not statistically superior to placebo in improving outcomes at three months when administered within 72 hours of an intermediate severity stroke. While this specific study did not show an early benefit, other analyses suggest that the treatment effect may be more pronounced in non-acute strokes or in those with relatively more severe conditions. Research also indicates that NeuroAid may improve specific cognitive functions like complex attention and executive functioning in individuals with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury, based on pilot randomized controlled trials.
Important Safety Information
NeuroAid has a favorable safety profile in clinical trials. Reported side effects are typically mild and transient, including gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dry mouth, and occasional headaches.
There have been no reported significant drug interactions with NeuroAid, and it is considered safe as an add-on treatment to standard post-stroke medications like antiplatelets, antihypertensives, and cholesterol-lowering drugs. While NeuroAid does not appear to affect clotting or coagulation, it is recommended that patients on anticoagulants, such as warfarin, continue to have their International Normalized Ratio (INR) monitored regularly when starting NeuroAid. NeuroAid is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women, or in children under 18 years old. As a natural health product, it is not an FDA-approved drug, and consultation with a healthcare professional before use is always advised.