None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Avena sativa (oats), in its various forms and extracts, has been traditionally known for its physical and psychological fortifying properties. Proposed beneficial effects include: reduced risk of heart disease, raised energy levels, increased ability to cope with stress, reduced anxiety and depression, and increased physical and cognitive performance. The mechanism of effect is currently unknown. However, it has been suggested that green oat extract has a clinically significant inhibitory effect on monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), effects which may improve cerebral vasodilation. As enhancement of cerebral blood flow by vasoactive nutrients has been hypothesised to improve cognitive function, this may be the mechanism by which oat extract could improve cognitive performance and stress response. The aim of this study is to examine the short-term dose-response effects of Neuravena® on cognitive performance, on the ability to cope with stressful cognitive tasks and on psychological well-being (depression, anxiety, stress) and whether these effects are mediated by changes in cerebral blood flow.
Interventions
Volunteers will be required to consume two doses of Neuravena 'registered trade mark' (1500 or 2400 mg of Avena sativa extract (Neuravena 'registered trade mark' ). This supplement will be delivered orally in capsule form.
There will be three separate visits to the Nutritional Physiology Research Centre (of 1 - 2 hours duration each) which will occur with a minimum one-week washout between visits. At each visit the participant will consume one dose of Neuravena 'registered trade mark' (or place
Volunteers will be required to consume two doses of Neuravena 'registered trade mark' (1500 or 2400 mg of Avena sativa extract (Neuravena 'registered trade mark' ). This supplement will be delivered orally in capsule form. There will be three separate visits to the Nutritional Physiology Research Centre (of 1 - 2 hours duration each) which will occur with a minimum one-week washout between visits. At each visit the participant will consume one dose of Neuravena 'registered trade mark' (or placebo) per visit. At 60 min after supplement consumption tests of short-term memory and working memory will be administered. This will be followed by the completion of a time-pressured cognitive test, the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and a subsequent carbon dioxide (CO2) challenge whilst assessing cerebral blood flow, heart rate and blood pressure. Participants will then complete the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). These measures will be repeated at each visit.
Sponsors
Dr. Janet Bryan
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
50 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Men and Women aged over 50 years who are assessed as having mild cognitive impairment (MCI) but otherwise healthy. The degree of cognitive impairment will be determined at screening by a score in the range of 9-12 points on the Dem tect questionnaire.
Exclusion criteria
Regular consumption of any form of cognitive enhancers, anticholinergic medication or mood medication during the trial. History of serious head injury, diagnosed and/or treated mental illness, alcoholism, stroke and/or neurological condition. Any other medical condition or treatments (including supplements) which, in the opinion of the investigators, may influence the outcome of the study.
Outcome results
None listed