# Creatine and Dementia: Big Hype, Surprisingly Thin Human Evidence

*The Cognitive Effects of Creatine Supplementation in Older Adults and Preclinical Models of Dementia: A Scoping Review.*

- **Evidence Level**: Preliminary
- **Publication Types**: Journal Article, Review
- **Journal**: Ageing research reviews
- **Sample Size**: N/A (6 studies; includes one human pilot with 20 people)
- **Authors**: Whitford T, Donlon C, Pech A, Goldberg C, Whiteson H, Etienne M
- **Published**: 2026-08-29
- **Topics**: creatine, brain health, dementia
- **DOI**: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2026.103317
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42668123/

## Summary

Creatine is popular for muscle and increasingly for the brain, so researchers combed through everything published on creatine and dementia. They found just six studies, mostly in animals and cells, and zero controlled clinical trials. One small human pilot with 20 people taking 20g a day for 8 weeks raised brain creatine by 11% and was linked to better flexible thinking. Results were mixed though: one rodent study showed worse spatial memory, and effects seemed to differ between males and females.

## Practical Takeaway

This review suggests creatine's brain benefits in dementia remain unproven and need proper trials.

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_Canonical: https://longevity-germany.com/en/research/creatine-and-dementia-big-hype-surprisingly-thin-human-evidence · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-08-29_