The aim of our study was to describe the nutritional status in patients with Alzheimeťs disease and in those with dementia of vascular aetiology and to assess the effect of nutritional support on mortality and men¬tal functions in these subjects. One hundred and sixty-five residents (100 Alzheimeťs disease and 65 vas¬cular dementia) living in 7 Ínstitutions throughout the Czech Republic were studied over a two-year-period. Voluntary food intake was measured during the first year, following which; the patients with Alzheimeťs disease were randomised into two groups. The study group received 600 kcal supplements (Nutridrink Nutricia) to their regular diet whereas the control group continued on the standard diet. Nutritional parameters using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), body weight, and mental statě Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were monitored every third month and spontaneous food intake was measured every second month of the study period. The nutritional status (MNA) was significantly worse in patients with Alzheimeťs disease than in patients with vascular dementia. This parameter correlated with body mass index and spontaneous food intake. Nutritional support significantly slowed down the deterioration of the mental functions of the Alzheimeťs disease patients. It is concluded that dietary counselling and nutritional support in patients with Alzheimeťs disease is clini-cally important and reduces the impairment of mental functions.

        Key words: Alzheimeťs disease, nutritional support, mental functions, undernutrition.