The OHSU Department of Neurology is recruiting people with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s disease for a research study looking at how an extract of the herb Centella asiatica affects processes in the brain or body that are associated with memory loss. Centella asiatica is an herbal product that traditionally has been used because it may improve memory. For the purposes of this research study, the Centella asiatica extract product will be referred to as the study drug.

You may qualify if you:

• Are between 60 and 85 years of age
• Have mild Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment
• Have a caregiver or study partner that is willing and able to be present for all study visits
• Are generally healthy, including not having a diagnosis of urinary tract infection, Type 1 diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, low blood pressure, cancer, seizures, or psychiatric disorders
• Are willing to participate in three, in-person study visits at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland OR and four phone calls over a four-month period
• Do not have claustrophobia or other reasons that would stop you from undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Are willing to drink the  test preparation containing Centella extract, called the study drug or placebo (a similar looking preparation which does not contain Centella extract) daily for six weeks
• Are able to participate in the full study duration of ten to eleven weeks

Participants will be required to drink the study drug or placebo daily for six weeks. There will be a screening visit and two study visits at OHSU. Study visits will include questionnaires, blood draws, urine collection, and two magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs) per visit, which will allow us to look at changes in the brain and in the body. Evaluations will also include telephone calls to assess participants’ health.

This is a randomized study, meaning you may or may not receive Centella asiatica. You will have an equal chance of taking either the study drug or a placebo, which does not contain any Centella extract. You may receive up to $100 compensation.

This study is part of a longer project which will eventually study the effects of Centella asiatica on memory.