scholarly journals Further Evidence of Benefits to Mood and Working Memory from Lipidated Curcumin in Healthy Older People: A 12-Week, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Partial Replication Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine H. M. Cox ◽  
David J. White ◽  
Andrew Pipingas ◽  
Kaylass Poorun ◽  
Andrew Scholey

Curcumin (a flavonoid isolated from turmeric) affects several processes involved in neurocognitive aging. We have previously reported that short term (4-weeks) administration of a highly bioavailable curcumin preparation (Longvida©) improved working memory and reduced fatigue and stress reactivity in a healthy older cohort. The present trial (ACTRN12616000484448) was a partial replication study, evaluating similar effects at 4 and 12-weeks Longvida© supplementation. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups trial was conducted. Eighty participants aged 50–80 years (mean = 68.1, SD = 6.34) were randomised to receive Longvida© (400 mg daily containing 80 mg curcumin) or a matching placebo. Assessment took place at baseline then following 4 and 12 weeks treatment. Outcome measures included cognitive performance, mood and biomarkers. Compared with placebo, curcumin was associated with several significant effects. These included better working memory performance at 12-weeks (Serial Threes, Serial Sevens and performance on a virtual Morris Water Maze), and lower fatigue scores on the Profile of Mood States (POMS) at both 4 and 12-weeks, and of tension, anger, confusion and total mood disturbance at 4-weeks only. The curcumin group had significantly elevated blood glucose. These results confirm that Longvida© improves aspects of mood and working memory in a healthy older cohort. The pattern of results is consistent with improvements in hippocampal function and may hold promise for alleviating cognitive decline in some populations.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Scholey ◽  
Katherine Cox ◽  
Andrew Pipingas ◽  
David White

Abstract Objectives Curcumin (a flavonoid isolated from the spice turmeric) affects several processes involved in neurocognitive aging. We have previously reported that 4 weeks administration of a highly bioavailable curcumin extract (Longvida™) improved working memory and reduced fatigue and stress reactivity in older Australians. This follow-up study (ACTRN12616000484448) was aimed at determining if similar effects were evident following 12 weeks administration of the same extract. Methods A double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups trial was conducted. Eighty participants aged 50–80 years (mean = 68.1, SD 6.34) were randomised to receive administration of Longvida™ (400 mg daily containing 80 mg curcumin) or a matching placebo. Assessment took place at baseline then at 4 and 12 weeks. Outcomes included measures of cognitive performance focusing on memory processes relevant to hippocampal function. Participants also underwent neuroimaging and measures of mood, cardiovascular function and other blood biomarkers were collected. Results Compared with placebo, there were a number of improvements in the curcumin group. The curcumin group had significantly better working memory performance at 12 weeks, as measured by Serial Threes, Serial Sevens and performance on a virtual Morris Water Maze. Curcumin was also associated with better performance on a pattern separation task. Curcumin was also associated with significantly lower fatigue scores on the Profile of Mood States (POMS) at both 4 and 12 weeks, and of tension, anger, confusion and total mood disturbance at 4 weeks only. There were no group differences in biomarker levels. Conclusions These results confirm that Longvida™ improves aspects of mood and working memory in a healthy older cohort. The pattern of results is consistent with improvements in hippocampal function and may hold promise for alleviating cognitive decline in some populations. Funding Sources This study was funded by a grant from Verdure Sciences. KC was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay K Udani

Background. SuperUlam is a proprietary blend of natural ingredients aimed at supporting brain health. We aimed to evaluate the effect of SuperUlam on attention and mood in healthy adults.Methods. Twenty healthy individuals aged 35–65 were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Study duration was 3 weeks and consisted of 3 visits. Measurement of cognitive function included computer-based testing of reaction time, complex attention, working memory, sustained attention, and executive functioning. Mood testing was performed via the profile of mood states (POMS) survey and the Chalder fatigue scale.Results. Cognitive function testing demonstrated a significant improvement from baseline in executive functioning, cognitive flexibility, reaction time, and working memory in the product group only (P<0.05). When comparing the study product to placebo, the data demonstrated a significant decrease in tension, depression, and anger (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the product and placebo in the other measures of mood, including vigor, fatigue, confusion, and total mood disturbance. No adverse events were reported.Conclusions.Supplementation with SuperUlam is safe to consume with potential benefits to cognitive function and mood.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2101
Author(s):  
Anderson Pontes Morales ◽  
Felipe Sampaio-Jorge ◽  
Thiago Barth ◽  
Anna Paola Trindade Rocha Pierucci ◽  
Beatriz Gonçalves Ribeiro

The present study investigated whether the caffeine supplementation for four days would induce tolerance to the ergogenic effects promoted by acute intake on physiological, metabolic, and performance parameters of cyclists. A double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design was employed, involving four experimental trials; placebo (4-day)-placebo (acute)/PP, placebo (4-day)-caffeine (acute)/PC, caffeine (4-day)-caffeine (acute)/CC and caffeine (4-day)-placebo (acute)/CP. Fourteen male recreationally-trained cyclists ingested capsules containing either placebo or caffeine (6 mg∙kg−1) for 4 days. On day 5 (acute), capsules containing placebo or caffeine (6 mg∙kg−1) were ingested 60 min before completing a 16 km time-trial (TT). CC and PC showed improvements in time (3.54%, ES = 0.72; 2.53%, ES = 0.51) and in output power (2.85%, ES = 0.25; 2.53%, ES = 0.20) (p < 0.05) compared to CP and PP conditions, respectively. These effects were accompanied by increased heart rate (2.63%, ES = 0.47; 1.99%, ES = 0.34), minute volume (13.11%, ES = 0.61; 16.32%, ES = 0.75), expired O2 fraction (3.29%, ES = 0.96; 2.87, ES = 0.72), lactate blood concentration (immediately after, 29.51% ES = 0.78; 28.21% ES = 0.73 recovery (10 min), 36.01% ES = 0.84; 31.22% ES = 0.81), and reduction in expired CO2 fraction (7.64%, ES = 0.64; 7.75%, ES = 0.56). In conclusion, these results indicate that caffeine, when ingested by cyclists in a dose of 6 mg∙kg−1 for 4 days, does not induce tolerance to the ergogenic effects promoted by acute intake on physiological, metabolic, and performance parameters.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Sanjeev Kumar ◽  
Reza Zomorrodi ◽  
Zaid Ghazala ◽  
Michelle S. Goodman ◽  
Daniel M. Blumberger ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Design: Pilot randomized double-blind-controlled trial of repetitive paired associative stimulation (rPAS), a paradigm that combines transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) with peripheral median nerve stimulation. Objectives: To study the impact of rPAS on DLPFC plasticity and working memory performance in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: Thirty-two patients with AD (females = 16), mean (SD) age = 76.4 (6.3) years were randomized 1:1 to receive a 2-week (5 days/week) course of active or control rPAS. DLPFC plasticity was assessed using single session PAS combined with electroencephalography (EEG) at baseline and on days 1, 7, and 14 post-rPAS. Working memory and theta–gamma coupling were assessed at the same time points using the N-back task and EEG. Results: There were no significant differences between the active and control rPAS groups on DLPFC plasticity or working memory performance after the rPAS intervention. There were significant main effects of time on DLPFC plasticity, working memory, and theta–gamma coupling, only for the active rPAS group. Further, on post hoc within-group analyses done to generate hypotheses for future research, as compared to baseline, only the rPAS group improved on post-rPAS day 1 on all three indices. Finally, there was a positive correlation between working memory performance and theta–gamma coupling. Conclusions: This study did not show a beneficial effect of rPAS for DLPFC plasticity or working memory in AD. However, post hoc analyses showed promising results favoring rPAS and supporting further research on this topic. (Clinicaltrials.gov-NCT01847586)


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1676-1676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Benson ◽  
Luke A. Downey ◽  
Con Stough ◽  
Mark Wetherell ◽  
Andrea Zangara ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 593-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin S Dalmaijer ◽  
Korina M S Li ◽  
Nikos Gorgoraptis ◽  
Alexander P Leff ◽  
David L Cohen ◽  
...  

ObjectiveUnilateral neglect is a poststroke disorder that impacts negatively on functional outcome and lacks established, effective treatment. This multicomponent syndrome is characterised by a directional bias of attention away from contralesional space, together with impairments in several cognitive domains, including sustained attention and spatial working memory. This study aimed to test the effects of guanfacine, a noradrenergic alpha-2A agonist, on ameliorating aspects of neglect.MethodsThirteen right hemisphere stroke patients with leftward neglect were included in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept crossover study that examined the effects of a single dose of guanfacine. Patients were tested on a computerised, time-limited cancellation paradigm, as well as tasks that independently assessed sustained attention and spatial working memory.ResultsOn guanfacine, there was a statistically significant improvement in the total number of targets found on the cancellation task when compared with placebo (mean improvement of 5, out of a possible 64). However, there was no evidence of a change in neglect patients’ directional attention bias. Furthermore, Bayesian statistical analysis revealed reliable evidence against any effects of guanfacine on search organisation and performance on our sustained attention and spatial working memory tasks.ConclusionsGuanfacine improves search in neglect by boosting the number of targets found but had no effects on directional bias or search organisation, nor did it improve sustained attention or working memory on independent tasks. Further work is necessary to determine whether longer term treatment with guanfacine may be effective for some neglect patients and whether it affects functional outcome measures.Trial registration numberNCT00955253.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (16) ◽  
pp. 3443-3450 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Stone ◽  
P. D. Morrison ◽  
I. Koychev ◽  
F. Gao ◽  
T. J. Reilly ◽  
...  

BackgroundSodium nitroprusside (SNP) has been reported to rapidly reduce psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. This has the potential to revolutionize treatment for schizophrenia. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that SNP leads to a reduction in psychotic symptoms and an improvement in spatial working memory (SWM) performance in patients with schizophrenia.MethodThis was a single-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial performed from 27 August 2014 to 10 February 2016 (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02176044). Twenty patients with schizophrenia aged 18–60 years with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were recruited from psychiatric outpatient clinics in the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, London, UK. Baseline symptoms were measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the 18-item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-18), and SWM was assessed using the CANTAB computerized test. Participants received either an infusion of SNP (0.5 μg/kg per min for 4 h) or placebo and were re-assessed for symptoms and SWM performance immediately after the infusion, and 4 weeks later.ResultsSNP did not lead to any reduction in psychotic symptoms or improvement in SWM performance compared to placebo.ConclusionsAlthough this study was negative, it is possible that the beneficial effects of SNP may occur in patients with a shorter history of illness, or with more acute exacerbation of symptoms.


2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Benson ◽  
Luke A. Downey ◽  
Con Stough ◽  
Mark Wetherell ◽  
Andrea Zangara ◽  
...  

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