title: Examining the nootropic effects of a special extract of Bacopa monniera on human cognitive functioning: 90 day double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial.
abstract: While Ayurvedic medicine has touted the cognitive enhancing effects of Bacopa monniera for centuries, there is a need for double-blind placebo-controlled investigations. One hundred and seven healthy participants were recruited for this double-blind placebo-controlled independent group design investigation. Sixty-two participants completed the study with 80% treatment compliance. Neuropsychological testing using the Cognitive Drug Research cognitive assessment system was conducted at baseline and after 90 days of treatment with a special extract of Bacopa monniera (2 x 150 mg KeenMind) or placebo. The Bacopa monniera product significantly improved performance on the 'Working Memory' factor, more specifically spatial working memory accuracy. The number of false-positives recorded in the Rapid visual information processing task was also reduced for the Bacopa monniera group following the treatment period. The current study provides support for the two other published studies reporting cognitive enhancing effects in healthy humans after a 90 day administration of the Bacopa monniera extract. Further studies are required to ascertain the effective dosage range, the time required to attain therapeutic levels and the effects over a longer term of administration.
authors.affiliation: Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia. cstough@swin.edu.au
authors.forename: Con
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stough
authors.forename: Luke A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Downey
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Silber
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hutchison
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wesnes
authors.forename: Pradeep J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Nathan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D034681:Bacopa / Q000737:chemistry*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts