The Study
Eight weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation is associated with improvements in muscle size in Alzheimer's disease
This study watched 18 people with Alzheimer's take creatine for 8 weeks and noticed their muscles got a little bigger. But we don't know if the creatine caused it—maybe they moved more, or their bodies changed naturally. It's like noticing your shoes got dirtier after walking outside—you can't be sure if it was the dirt or the walk that made it happen.
Analysis score
Maximum 44 for a cross-sectional study.
Where the score came from
Scientists gave 18 older adults with Alzheimer's a daily powder called creatine for 8 weeks and measured their leg muscles before and after.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 531 / 100
Quality score
Snapshots of a population at a single point in time, or descriptions of small groups. Can identify correlations and prevalence, but cannot determine cause and effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1The change is very small — less than the width of a pencil — but in people losing muscle from Alzheimer's, even a tiny gain might help slow weakness.
- 2Leg muscle size went up a tiny bit: rectus femoris from 7.6 to 7.8 cm², vastus medialis from 10.1 to 10.2 cm².
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Alzheimer's & Dementia
Year
2025
Authors
Aaron N. Smith, Debra K Sullivan, T. Herda, Matthew K. Taylor
Related Content
Claims (2)
Creatine supplementation is associated with improved physical function and maintained muscle mass in older adults.
In older adults with Alzheimer's disease, taking 20 grams of creatine monohydrate daily for eight weeks is associated with a small increase in the size of leg muscles, specifically the rectus femoris and vastus medialis.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.