Rui Nouchi1,2, Qingqiang Hu3, Toshiki Saito4, Natasha Yuriko Dos Santos Kawata4, Haruka Nouchi1, Ryuta Kawashima2,4. 1. Department of Cognitive Health Science, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan. 2. Smart Aging Research Center (S.A.R.C.), Tohoku University, Seiryo-Machi 4-1, Sendai 980-8575, Japan. 3. Nature and Wellness Research Department, Innovation Division, Kagome Co., Ltd., 17, Nishitomiyama, Nasushiobara 329-2762, Japan. 4. Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Earlier studies have demonstrated that a single-domain intervention, such as a brain-training (BT) game alone and a sulforaphane (SFN) intake, positively affects cognition. This study examined whether a combined BT and SFN intake intervention has beneficial effects on cognitive function in older adults. METHODS: In a 12-week double-blinded randomized control trial, 144 older adults were randomly assigned to one of four groups: BT with SFN (BT-S), BT with placebo (BT-P), active control game (AT) with SFN (AT-S), and active control game with placebo (AT-P). We used Brain Age in BT and Tetris in AT. Participants were asked to play BT or AT for 15 min a day for 12 weeks while taking a supplement (SFN or placebo). We measured several cognitive functions before and after the intervention period. RESULTS: The BT (BT-S and BT-P) groups showed more improvement in processing speed than the active control groups (AT-S and AT-P). The SFN intake (BT-S and AT-S) groups recorded significant improvements in processing speed and working memory performance unlike the placebo intake groups (BT-P and AT-P). However, we did not find any evidence of the combined intervention's beneficial effects on cognition. DISCUSSION: We discussed a mechanism to improve cognitive functions in the BT and SFN alone interventions.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Earlier studies have demonstrated that a single-domain intervention, such as a brain-training (BT) game alone and a sulforaphane (SFN) intake, positively affects cognition. This study examined whether a combined BT and SFN intake intervention has beneficial effects on cognitive function in older adults. METHODS: In a 12-week double-blinded randomized control trial, 144 older adults were randomly assigned to one of four groups: BT with SFN (BT-S), BT with placebo (BT-P), active control game (AT) with SFN (AT-S), and active control game with placebo (AT-P). We used Brain Age in BT and Tetris in AT. Participants were asked to play BT or AT for 15 min a day for 12 weeks while taking a supplement (SFN or placebo). We measured several cognitive functions before and after the intervention period. RESULTS: The BT (BT-S and BT-P) groups showed more improvement in processing speed than the active control groups (AT-S and AT-P). The SFN intake (BT-S and AT-S) groups recorded significant improvements in processing speed and working memory performance unlike the placebo intake groups (BT-P and AT-P). However, we did not find any evidence of the combined intervention's beneficial effects on cognition. DISCUSSION: We discussed a mechanism to improve cognitive functions in the BT and SFN alone interventions.
Authors: Kirsten E Bell; Hanna Fang; Tim Snijders; David J Allison; Michael A Zulyniak; Adrian Chabowski; Gianni Parise; Stuart M Phillips; Jennifer J Heisz Journal: Front Aging Neurosci Date: 2019-05-09 Impact factor: 5.750