meta_analysis
    2023
    High Quality

    Effects of creatine supplementation on memory in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

    Prokopidis K, et al

    Published in Nutrition Reviews

    Methodology

    Systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO 42021281027) of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scopus from inception to September 2021; 23 RCTs screened, 10 met inclusion criteria and 8 were meta-analysed as standardised mean differences with subgroup analyses by age, dose, duration, sex and region.

    Key Findings

    Ten randomised controlled trials of creatine and memory in healthy people were reviewed and 8 pooled. Creatine improved memory measures overall compared with placebo (SMD 0.29, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.53, I-squared 66%, p = 0.02). The benefit was concentrated in older adults aged 66-76 (SMD 0.88, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.55, p = 0.009) and absent in younger participants aged 11-31 (SMD 0.03, 95% CI -0.14 to 0.20, p = 0.72). Dose (roughly 2.2-20 g/day), trial length (5 days to 24 weeks), sex and geography did not change the findings.

    Conclusions

    Creatine supplementation enhanced measures of memory performance in healthy individuals, especially in older adults (66-76 years).

    Limitations

    Only 8 trials contributed to the pooled estimate with substantial heterogeneity (I-squared 66%), the overall effect is small, and the striking older-adult subgroup result rests on few studies with very high heterogeneity of its own.

    Supplements Studied

    Creatine supplementation enhanced measures of memory performance in healthy individuals, especially in older adults (66-76 years).

    Outcomes Measured

    ATP Production Enhancement

    Creatine supplementation improved memory performance in healthy individuals across randomized controlled trials.

    Executive Function

    Overall, creatine supplementation improved measures of memory compared with placebo (standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.29, 95%CI, 0.04-0.53; I2 = 66%; P = 0.02).

    Related Health Concerns

    Brain Fog

    Study Details

    Year:2023
    Sample Size:10
    Duration:24 weeks
    Quality Score:7/10

    Access Study

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