Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly
Calabrese C
Published in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Methodology
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a 6-week placebo run-in and 12 weeks of standardised Bacopa monnieri extract 300 mg/day; AVLT delayed recall as primary outcome plus Stroop, Divided Attention, WAIS letter-digit, STAI, CESD-10 and Profile of Mood States.
Key Findings
54 healthy adults aged 65 and over (mean 73.5) were randomised after a 6-week placebo run-in to Bacopa monnieri 300 mg/day or placebo for 12 weeks, with 48 completing (24 per group). Bacopa improved delayed word recall on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Stroop performance relative to placebo, and depression (CESD-10), combined state plus trait anxiety, and heart rate all decreased with Bacopa while rising on placebo. No effects were seen on the Divided Attention Task, WAIS letter-digit test, mood or blood pressure; adverse events were few and mainly stomach upset.
Conclusions
Improved recall and Stroop performance, but no effect on the Divided Attention Task.
Limitations
Small sample of 48 completers, 12-week duration, healthy elderly volunteers without dementia, and several cognitive measures showed no effect so the positive findings could reflect multiple testing.
Supplements Studied
This study provides further evidence that B. monnieri has potential for safely enhancing cognitive performance in the aging.
Outcomes Measured
Other cognitive measures were the Stroop Task assessing the ability to ignore irrelevant information, the Divided Attention Task (DAT), and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) letter-digit test of immediate working memory.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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