title: Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on brain homocarnosine/carnosine signal and cognitive function: an exploratory study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Two independent studies were conducted to examine the effects of 28 d of beta-alanine supplementation at 6.4 g d(-1) on brain homocarnosine/carnosine signal in omnivores and vegetarians (Study 1) and on cognitive function before and after exercise in trained cyclists (Study 2).
  
  
  METHODS
  In Study 1, seven healthy vegetarians (3 women and 4 men) and seven age- and sex-matched omnivores undertook a brain 1H-MRS exam at baseline and after beta-alanine supplementation. In study 2, nineteen trained male cyclists completed four 20-Km cycling time trials (two pre supplementation and two post supplementation), with a battery of cognitive function tests (Stroop test, Sternberg paradigm, Rapid Visual Information Processing task) being performed before and after exercise on each occasion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Study 1, there were no within-group effects of beta-alanine supplementation on brain homocarnosine/carnosine signal in either vegetarians (p = 0.99) or omnivores (p = 0.27); nor was there any effect when data from both groups were pooled (p = 0.19). Similarly, there was no group by time interaction for brain homocarnosine/carnosine signal (p = 0.27). In study 2, exercise improved cognitive function across all tests (P < 0.05), although there was no effect (P>0.05) of beta-alanine supplementation on response times or accuracy for the Stroop test, Sternberg paradigm or RVIP task at rest or after exercise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  28 d of beta-alanine supplementation at 6.4 g d(-1) appeared not to influence brain homocarnosine/carnosine signal in either omnivores or vegetarians; nor did it influence cognitive function before or after exercise in trained cyclists.
authors: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-030, Brazil.
authors: Marina Yazigi
authors: MY
authors: Solis
authors: Biomedical, Life and Health Sciences Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Cooper
authors: Biomedical, Life and Health Sciences Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK.
authors: Ruth M
authors: RM
authors: Hobson
authors: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-030, Brazil.
authors: Guilherme G
authors: GG
authors: Artioli
authors: LIM44, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05403-900, Brazil.
authors: Maria C
authors: MC
authors: Otaduy
authors: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-030, Brazil.
authors: Hamilton
authors: H
authors: Roschel
authors: Biomedical, Life and Health Sciences Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK.
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Robertson
authors: Biomedical, Life and Health Sciences Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Martin
authors: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-030, Brazil.
authors: Vitor
authors: V
authors: S Painelli
authors: Junipa Ltd., Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
authors: Roger C
authors: RC
authors: Harris
authors: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-030, Brazil.
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Gualano
authors: Biomedical, Life and Health Sciences Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK.
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Sale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002336:Carnosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015091:beta-Alanine; D002336:Carnosine