Dark Sweet Cherry (DSC) Juice Consumption for Obesity-Related Inflammation and Cognitive Function in Obese Adults: A Human Clinical Pilot Trial

Abstract Objectives To assess the effects of DSC juice on biomarkers of obesity-related metabolic disorders, inflammation, and cognitive performance. Methods Eligible participants (>18, body-mass index (BMI) = 30–40 kg/m2, no history of chronic disease and/or medication/antibiotics), were assigned to cherry or placebo groups following a single-blind randomized design after a 2-week run-in period. Participants were asked to drink 200 mL cherry juice supplemented with 3 g DSC powder (n = 11) or placebo drink (n = 10) twice a day for 30 days. Wellness check, anthropometric measurements, cognitive function/psychological assessments, and fasting blood samples were collected at study days 1 and 30. Results Baseline data showed no differences in anthropometric measurements between experimental groups. Results from blood markers of liver and metabolic disorders showed no difference between end point and baseline values for both cherry and placebo groups. However, median (25%, 75% interquartile) values for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) at day 30 (ESR = 6 (4, 13), ROS = 29 (13, 53) showed improvement compared to day 1 (ESR = 7 (2, 16), ROS = 33 (21, 65)) in cherry group, while in placebo group values showed less or no improvement (ESR = 12 (8, 24), ROS = 30 (20, 72) at day 30), vs (ESR = 10 (7, 18), ROS = 37 (29, 75) at day 1). These results suggest an anti-inflammatory cherry juice action and may be correlated with a trend for improvement in all of the cognitive tasks and physiological assessments in cherry group. The trail making tests (A and B), which assess executive functioning, improved (P = 0.0273 and P = 0.0342, respectively) as well as the Digit Span Forward task (DSF) (P = 0.0137), which examines short-term memory storage and executive control processes. The Digit Symbol Substitution test (DSST) used to assess processing speed, sustained attention and working memory showed improvement for cherry group, although non-significant (P = 0.0527). Conclusions These preliminary findings suggest that consumption of DSC juice rich in anthocyanins and other phytochemicals over 4 weeks may improve cognitive function in obese participants with possible link to lowered inflammation. Funding Sources This work was supported by the Northwest Cherry Growers.

Download Full-text

Vitamin B12 Status of Pregnant Indian Women and Cognitive Function in their 9-year-old Children

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/156482650802900401 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 249-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

Vidya Bhate ◽

Swapna Deshpande ◽

Dattatray Bhat ◽

Niranjan Joshi ◽

Rasika Ladkat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Maternal Nutrition ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Digit Span ◽

Maternal Plasma ◽

Vitamin B ◽

Plasma Vitamin ◽

Maternal Vitamin ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Background Recent research has highlighted the influence of maternal factors on the health of the offspring. Intrauterine experiences may program metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychiatric disorders. We have shown that maternal vitamin B12 status affects adiposity and insulin resistance in the child. Vitamin B12 is important for brain development and function. Objective We investigated the relationship between maternal plasma vitamin B12 status during pregnancy and the child's cognitive function at 9 years of age. Methods We studied children born in the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study. Two groups of children were selected on the basis of maternal plasma vitamin B12 concentration at 28 weeks of gestation: group 1 ( n = 49) included children of mothers with low plasma vitamin B12 (lowest decile, < 77 pM) and group 2 ( n = 59) children of mothers with high plasma vitamin B12 (highest decile, > 224 pM). Results Children from group 1 performed more slowly than those from group 2 on the Color Trail A test (sustained attention, 182 vs. 159 seconds; p < .05) and the Digit Span Backward test (short-term memory, p <.05), after appropriate adjustment for confounders. There were no differences between group 1 and group 2 on other tests of cognitive function (intelligence, visual agnosia). Conclusions Maternal vitamin B12 status in pregnancy influences cognitive function in offspring.

Download Full-text

Does Ramadan Fasting Adversely Affect Cognitive Function in Young Females?

Scientifica ◽

10.1155/2015/432428 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi ◽

Laya Rahbar Nikoukar ◽

Amir Memari ◽

Hamed Ekhtiari ◽

Sara Beygi

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Stroop Task ◽

Female Athletes ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Digit Span ◽

Short Term ◽

Color Test ◽

Ramadan Fasting ◽

Young Females ◽

Time Point

We examined the effects of Ramadan fasting on cognitive function in 17 female athletes. Data were obtained from participants of two fasting (n=9) and nonfasting (n=8) groups at three periods of the study (before Ramadan, at the third week in Ramadan, and after Ramadan). Digit span test (DST) and Stroop color test were employed to assess short-term memory and inhibition/cognitive flexibility at each time point. There were no significant changes for DST and Stroop task 1 in both groups, whereas Stroop task 2 and task 3 showed significant improvements in Ramadan condition (p<0.05). Interference indices did not change significantly across the study except in post-Ramadan period of fasting group (p<0.05). Group × week interaction was significant only for error numbers (p<0.05). Athletes in nonfasting showed a significant decrease in number of errors in Ramadan compared to baseline (p<0.05). The results suggest that Ramadan fasting may not adversely affect cognitive function in female athletes.

Download Full-text

Autonomic and Cognitive Function Response to Normobaric Hyperoxia Exposure in Healthy Subjects. Preliminary Study

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56040172 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 172

Author(s):

Sławomir Kujawski ◽

Joanna Słomko ◽

Karl J. Morten ◽

Modra Murovska ◽

Katarzyna Buszko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Free Recall ◽

Visual Information ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Digit Span ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽

Baroreceptor Function ◽

High Flow Oxygen

Background and objective: This is the first study to investigate the effect of high-flow oxygen therapy, using a normobaric chamber on cognitive, biochemical (oxidative stress parameters and the level of neurotrophins), cardiovascular and autonomic functioning. Materials and methods: 17 healthy volunteers, eight males and nine females, with a mean age of 37.5 years, were examined. The experimental study involved ten two-hour exposures in a normobaric chamber with a total pressure of 1500 hPa, in air adjusted to 37% oxygen, 1.079% carbon dioxide and 0.44% hydrogen. Cognitive function was assessed by using Trail Making Test parts A, B and difference in results of these tests (TMT A, TMT B and TMT B-A); California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT); Digit symbol substitution test (DSST); and Digit Span (DS). Fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)), cardiovascular, autonomic and baroreceptor functioning (Task Force Monitor) and biochemical parameters were measured before and after intervention. Results: After 10 sessions in the normobaric chamber, significant decreases in weight, caused mainly by body fat % decrease (24.86 vs. 23.93%, p = 0.04 were observed. TMT part A and B results improved (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.001, respectively). In contrast, there was no statistically significant influence on TMT B-A. Moreover, decrease in the number of symbols left after a one-minute test in DSST was noted (p = 0.0001). The mean number of words correctly recalled in the CVLT Long Delay Free Recall test improved (p = 0.002), and a reduction in fatigue was observed (p = 0.001). Biochemical tests showed a reduction in levels of malondialdehyde (p < 0.001), with increased levels of Cu Zn superoxide dismutase (p < 0.001), Neurotrophin 4 (p = 0.0001) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (p = 0.001). A significant increase in nitric oxide synthase 2 (Z = 2.29, p = 0.02) and Club cell secretory protein (p = 0.015) was also noted. Baroreceptor function was significantly improved after normobaric exposures (p = 0.003). Significant effect of normobaric exposures and BDNF in CVLT Long Delay Free Recall was noted. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that 10 exposures in a normobaric chamber have a positive impact on visual information and set-shifting processing speed and increase auditory-verbal short-term memory, neurotrophic levels and baroreceptor function. A response of the respiratory tract to oxidative stress was also noted. There is a need to rigorously examine the safety of normobaric therapy. Further studies should be carried out with physician examination, both pre and post treatment.

Download Full-text

Multi-Component Intervention Program on Habitual Physical Activity Parameters and Cognitive Function in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126240 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6240

Author(s):

Min-Ki Jeong ◽

Kyung-Won Park ◽

Je-Kwang Ryu ◽

Gwon-Min Kim ◽

Hyun-Hun Jung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Cognitive Intervention ◽

Habitual Physical Activity ◽

Disease Assessment ◽

Digit Symbol Substitution Test

Age-related dementia refers to a state in which someone experiences multiple cognitive function impairment due to degenerative brain disease, and which causes difficulties in their daily life or social life. Dementia is the most common and serious obstacle in later life. Early intervention in the case of patients who are in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage among the high-risk group can maintain and improve their cognitive function. The purpose of the current trial is aimed at investigating the association between a multi-component (exercise with cognitive) intervention program and habitual physical activity parameters on cognitive functions in MCI patients. Neuropsychological cognitive and depression assessments were performed by neuropsychologists according to normalized methods, including the Korean mini-mental State examination (K-MMSE) and modified Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) and cognitive assessment tool (attention, processing speed), and the Korean version of the geriatric depression scale (SGDS-K), both at baseline and at a 12 weeks follow-up. The 12-week multi-component intervention improved cognitive function and habitual physical activity parameters in patients with MCI relative to controls. A multi-component intervention program for patients with MCI is considered to be an effective method of dementia prevention by improving global (ADAS-Cog) and frontal (trail-making test, digit symbol substitution test) cognition and habitual physical activity parameters such as moderate to vigorous physical activity and step count. In addition, it is important to encourage habitual physical activities to ensure that exercise intervention strategies are carried out at the duration and intensity required for improving physical and cognitive wellbeing and obtaining health benefits.

Download Full-text

The Role of Entropy in Construct Specification Equations (CSE) to Improve the Validity of Memory Tests

Entropy ◽

10.3390/e23020212 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 212

Author(s):

Jeanette Melin ◽

Stefan Cano ◽

Leslie Pendrill

Keyword(s):

Rating Scales ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Item Difficulty ◽

Digit Span ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Practice Research ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Memory Tests ◽

Using Data ◽

Block Test

Commonly used rating scales and tests have been found lacking reliability and validity, for example in neurodegenerative diseases studies, owing to not making recourse to the inherent ordinality of human responses, nor acknowledging the separability of person ability and item difficulty parameters according to the well-known Rasch model. Here, we adopt an information theory approach, particularly extending deployment of the classic Brillouin entropy expression when explaining the difficulty of recalling non-verbal sequences in memory tests (i.e., Corsi Block Test and Digit Span Test): a more ordered task, of less entropy, will generally be easier to perform. Construct specification equations (CSEs) as a part of a methodological development, with entropy-based variables dominating, are found experimentally to explain (r=R2 = 0.98) and predict the construct of task difficulty for short-term memory tests using data from the NeuroMET (n = 88) and Gothenburg MCI (n = 257) studies. We propose entropy-based equivalence criteria, whereby different tasks (in the form of items) from different tests can be combined, enabling new memory tests to be formed by choosing a bespoke selection of items, leading to more efficient testing, improved reliability (reduced uncertainties) and validity. This provides opportunities for more practical and accurate measurement in clinical practice, research and trials.

Download Full-text

Effects of Folic Acid Combined with DHA Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Amyloid-β-Related Biomarkers in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment by a Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Journal of Alzheimer s Disease ◽

10.3233/jad-200997 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Dong Bai ◽

Junting Fan ◽

Mengyue Li ◽

Cuixia Dong ◽

Yiming Gao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Folic Acid ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Digit Span ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Amyloid Β ◽

Amyloid Β Peptide ◽

Double Blind ◽

Full Scale Intelligence Quotient

Background: The neuroprotective benefits of combined folic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients are suggested but unconfirmed. Objective: To explore the effects of 6-month folic acid + DHA on cognitive function in patients with MCI. Methods: Our randomized controlled trial (trial number ChiCTR-IOR-16008351) was conducted in Tianjin, China. We divided 160 MCI patients aged > 60 years into four regimen groups randomly: folic acid (0.8 mg/day) + DHA (800 mg/day), folic acid (0.8 mg/day), DHA (800 mg/day), and placebo, for 6 months. Cognitive function and blood amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) biomarker levels were measured at baseline and 6 months. Cognitive function was also measured at 12 months. Results: A total of 138 patients completed this trial. Folic acid improved the full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ), arithmetic, and picture complement scores; DHA improved the FSIQ, information, arithmetic, and digit span scores; folic acid + DHA improved the arithmetic (difference 1.67, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.31) and digital span (1.33, 0.24 to 2.43) scores compared to placebo. At 12 months, all scores declined in the intervention groups. Folic acid and folic acid + DHA increased blood folate (folic acid + DHA: 7.70, 3.81 to 11.59) and S-adenosylmethionine (23.93, 1.86 to 46.00) levels and reduced homocysteine levels (–6.51, –10.57 to –2.45) compared to placebo. DHA lower the Aβ40 levels (–40.57, –79.79 to –1.35) compared to placebo (p < 0.05), and folic acid + DHA reduced the Aβ42 (–95.59, –150.76 to –40.43) and Aβ40 levels (–45.75, –84.67 to –6.84) more than DHA (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Folic acid and DHA improve cognitive function and reduce blood Aβ production in MCI patients. Combination therapy may be more beneficial in reducing blood Aβ-related biomarkers.

Download Full-text

Serum sodium in relation to various domains of cognitive function in the elderly US population

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02260-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sohyae Lee ◽

Jin-young Min ◽

Beom Kim ◽

Sang-Won Ha ◽

Jeohng Ho Han ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Serum Sodium ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cognitive Change ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

P Value ◽

Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Recent evidence suggests that sodium imbalances may be associated with cognitive impairment; however, the association between specific domains of cognition remains unclear. This study examines the association between serum sodium levels and immediate and delayed verbal memory as measured by the CERAD Word Learning Test (CERAD WLT), executive function as measured by the Animal Fluency test (AFT), and sustained attention, working memory, and processing speed as measured by the Digit Symbol Substitution test (DSST) in the elderly population of the US aged 60 and older who participated in the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (n = 2,541). Methods Cognitive function tests were performed by trained interviewers and sodium levels were measured using indirect ion selective electrode methodology. Results After adjusting for all covariates, quintiles of CERAD WLT scores showed significant positive associations with log-transformed sodium levels (Immediate recall (IR) β = 4.25 (SE = 1.83, p-value 0.027); Delayed recall (DR) β = 6.54 (SE = 1.82, p-value 0.001)). Compared to normal sodium levels, hyponatremia was significantly associated with lower CERAD WLT-IR (β = -0.34, SE = 0.15, p-value 0.035) and CERAD WLT-DR scores (β -0.48, SE = 0.10, p-value < 0.001) and showed borderline significance with AFT scores (β = = -0.38, SE = 0.19, p-value 0.052). Hypernatremia did not show any significant relationships with cognitive test scores, compared to normal sodium levels. Conclusions Our cross-sectional study showed that lower sodium levels were associated with cognitive change, especially regarding memory and executive function.

Download Full-text

Effects of masticatory exercise on cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults

Technology and Health Care ◽

10.3233/thc-218013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. 125-131

Author(s):

Tae-Hoon Kim

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽

Digit Span ◽

Stroop Test ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Digit Span Test ◽

Span Test ◽

Test Digit

BACKGROUND: Mastication improves cognitive function by activating cerebral cortical activity, and it is important to demonstrate the cognitive effects of masticatory training using a variety of different interventions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of masticatory exercise on cognitive function in healthy older adults living in the community. METHODS: For six weeks, twelve participants performed a masticatory exercise using a NOSICK exerciser device, and thirteen subjects performed daily life without masticatory exercises. Trail Making Test, Digit Span Test, and Stroop test were used to measure the cognitive function. RESULTS: The participants in the experimental group showed significant improvements in TMT-A/B (p= 0.001 and 0.004), DST-forward (p= 0.001), and ST-word (p= 0.001). The effect sizes after the intervention were calculated as (1.2 and 0.8) for TMT-A/B, (0.8 and 0.2) for Digit Span Test forward/backward, and (0.6 and 0.2) for Stroop test color/word. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the masticatory exercises improve cognitive function in healthy older adults. Therefore, masticatory exercises can be used as a therapeutic exercise during cognitive rehabilitation.

Download Full-text

Moderate to heavy infections ofTrichuris trichiuraaffect cognitive function in Jamaican school children

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182000063800 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 104 (3) ◽

pp. 539-547 ◽

Cited By ~ 185

Author(s):

C. Nokes ◽

S. M. Grantham-McGregor ◽

A. W. Sawyer ◽

E. S. Cooper ◽

B. A. Robinson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

School Children ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Control Group ◽

Long Term Memory ◽

Double Blind ◽

Term Memory ◽

Confounding Variables ◽

Placebo Trial

A double-blind placebo trial was conducted to determine the effect of moderate to high loads ofTrichuris trichiura(whipworm) infection on the cognitive functions of 159 school children (age 9–12 years) in Jamaica. Infected children were randomly assigned to Treatment or Placebo groups. A third group of randomly selected uninfected children were assigned to a Control for comparative purposes. The improvement in cognitive function was evaluated using a stepwise multiple linear regression, designed to control for any confounding variables. The expulsion of worms led to a significant improvement in tests of auditory short-term memory (P< 0.02;P< 0.01), and a highly significant improvement in the scanning and retrieval of long-term memory (P< 0.001). After 9 weeks, treated children were no longer significantly different from an uninfected Control group in these three tests of cognitive function. The removal ofT. trichiurawas more important thanAscaris lumbricoidesin determining this improvement. The results suggest that whipworm infection has an adverse effect on certain cognitive functions which is reversible by therapy.

Download Full-text