Idebenone
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Idebenone is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,144 participants, researched for Alzheimer's Disease, Neuroprotection & Antioxidant.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Alzheimer's Disease
ModerateNeuroprotection & Antioxidant
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Alzheimer's Disease
To assess 2 doses of idebenone in Alzheimer's disease
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess 2 doses of idebenone in Alzheimer's disease
Dose
30 mg or 90 mg three times daily
Participants
300 Alzheimer's patients
Duration
6 months
Results
Idebenone at 90 mg tid showed significant improvements in ADAS cognitive and non-cognitive scores vs placebo. Dose-dependent effects observed. PMID: 9267856
How They Measured It
ADAS-Total, ADAS-Cog, MMSE, activities of daily living
To evaluate sustained efficacy of idebenone in Alzheimer's disease over 2 years
Study Type
Randomised double-blind multicentre
Purpose
To evaluate sustained efficacy of idebenone in Alzheimer's disease over 2 years
Dose
90 or 120 mg three times daily
Participants
450 Alzheimer's patients (3 groups)
Duration
24 months
Results
Idebenone showed sustained beneficial effects on memory and attention over 2 years. 24-month continuous treatment was more effective than delayed initiation. PMID: 9850939
How They Measured It
ADAS-Total, ADAS-Cog, SKT neuropsychological battery
To assess idebenone in senile dementia of Alzheimer type
Study Type
Multicentre open-label study
Purpose
To assess idebenone in senile dementia of Alzheimer type
Dose
90 mg three times daily
Participants
Multiple centres
Duration
150 days
Results
Idebenone treatment was well tolerated and associated with statistically significant improvement in memory, attention, and behaviour. PMID: 15374364
How They Measured It
Memory, attention, behaviour assessments
To compare safety and efficacy of idebenone vs tacrine in Alzheimer's disease
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To compare safety and efficacy of idebenone vs tacrine in Alzheimer's disease
Dose
90 mg three times daily idebenone vs 160 mg/day tacrine
Participants
156 Alzheimer's patients
Duration
16 weeks
Results
Idebenone showed comparable cognitive benefits to tacrine with significantly better tolerability and safety profile. PMID: 11819153
How They Measured It
CGI, MMSE, ADAS-Cog, safety profile
To assess idebenone plus trazodone combination in Alzheimer's disease (negative)
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess idebenone plus trazodone combination in Alzheimer's disease (negative)
Dose
Idebenone + trazodone combination
Participants
168 mild-to-moderate AD patients
Duration
12 months
Results
Combination idebenone + trazodone failed to slow cognitive decline beyond placebo in mild-to-moderate AD. Highlights need for earlier intervention. PMID: 14663031
How They Measured It
ADAS-Cog, cognitive battery over 12 months
Neuroprotection & Antioxidant
To investigate idebenone neuroprotection against amyloid-beta toxicity
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To investigate idebenone neuroprotection against amyloid-beta toxicity
Dose
1-100 nM idebenone
Participants
Primary cortical neuron cultures
Duration
24-48 hours
Results
Idebenone significantly protected mitochondrial function against amyloid-beta toxicity by acting as a free radical scavenger and bypassing complex I dysfunction. PMID: 32925607
How They Measured It
Mitochondrial function, cell viability, ROS production, ATP levels
To assess idebenone on oxidative stress and cognitive decline in aged animals
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To assess idebenone on oxidative stress and cognitive decline in aged animals
Dose
100 mg/kg idebenone
Participants
Aged rats
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Idebenone significantly reduced oxidative stress, improved mitochondrial function, and prevented age-related cognitive decline in aged rats.
How They Measured It
Oxidative stress markers, cognitive tests, mitochondrial function
To assess idebenone in Friedreich's ataxia (rare neurological condition)
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess idebenone in Friedreich's ataxia (rare neurological condition)
Dose
Idebenone 5 mg/kg/day escalating to 75 mg/kg/day
Participants
70 Friedreich's ataxia patients
Duration
6 months
Results
Idebenone did not significantly improve neurological outcomes in Friedreich's ataxia over 6 months, though cardiac benefits were observed in some subgroups. PMID: 22212274
How They Measured It
SARA ataxia rating scale, neurological function
To review idebenone as a short-chain CoQ10 analogue with superior brain penetration
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To review idebenone as a short-chain CoQ10 analogue with superior brain penetration
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Idebenone is a synthetic CoQ10 analogue with superior brain penetration and antioxidant activity, demonstrated clinical benefits for AD cognition and potential in multiple neurological conditions.
How They Measured It
Pharmacological and clinical literature review
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Idebenone research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Idebenone (Idebenone), involving 1,144 total participants. Research covers Cognitive function, Alzheimer's disease, Neuroprotection. The overall evidence strength is rated as Moderate.
The evidence is currently rated as "Moderate Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Idebenone has been researched for: Cognitive function, Alzheimer's disease, Neuroprotection. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 9 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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