D-camphor-crataegus berry extract combination increases blood pressure and cognitive functioning in the elderly - a randomized, placebo controlled double blind study.
The present study investigated whether the D-camphor-crataegus berry extract combination Korodin elevates blood pressure and enhances cognitive performance in the elderly population. Eighty women aged between 50 and 80 years were examined based on a randomized, placebo controlled double blind design. Blood pressure was measured sphygmomanometrically and through continuous noninvasive recording. Cognitive performance was assessed by means of two tests measuring general information processing capacity and visuomotor speed. The administration of the drug led to a short term increase in blood pressure as well as in cognitive performance as compared to placebo. Potential physiological mechanisms of action mediating this effect, including hemodynamic alterations, sympathetic stimulation as well as improvement of cerebral metabolism are discussed.
Werner
Natalie S
NS
Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802 Munich, Germany. Institute of Pharmacology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Duschek
Stefan
S
Schandry
Rainer
R
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002164:Camphor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D027825:Crataegus; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D002164:Camphor