title: Creatine as a booster for human brain function. How might it work?
abstract: Creatine, a naturally occurring nitrogenous organic acid found in animal tissues, has been found to play key roles in the brain including buffering energy supply, improving mitochondrial efficiency, directly acting as an anti-oxidant and acting as a neuroprotectant. Much of the evidence for these roles has been established in vitro or in pre-clinical studies. Here, we examine the roles of creatine and explore the current status of translation of this research into use in humans and the clinic. Some further possibilities for use of creatine in humans are also discussed.
authors: Neuroscience Research Australia, Barker St Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2052, Australia. Electronic address: c.rae@unsw.edu.au.
authors: Caroline D
authors: CD
authors: Rae
authors: Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Bröer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D003401:Creatine
keywords: Bioenergetics; Cognition; Creatine kinase; NMDA receptor; Neuroprotection; Phosphocreatine