title: Clinical Evaluation of Effects of Chronic Resveratrol Supplementation on Cerebrovascular Function, Cognition, Mood, Physical Function and General Well-Being in Postmenopausal Women-Rationale and Study Design.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This methodological paper presents both a scientific rationale and a methodological approach for investigating the effects of resveratrol supplementation on mood and cognitive performance in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, which may be at least partly due to loss of beneficial effects of estrogen on the cerebrovasculature. We hypothesise that resveratrol, a phytoestrogen, may counteract this risk by enhancing cerebrovascular function and improving regional blood flow in response to cognitive demands. A clinical trial was designed to test this hypothesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy postmenopausal women were recruited to participate in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled (parallel comparison) dietary intervention trial to evaluate the effects of resveratrol supplementation (75 mg twice daily) on cognition, cerebrovascular responsiveness to cognitive tasks and overall well-being. They performed the following tests at baseline and after 14 weeks of supplementation: Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Cambridge Semantic Memory Battery, the Double Span and the Trail Making Task. Cerebrovascular function was assessed simultaneously by monitoring blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral arteries using transcranial Doppler ultrasound.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This trial provides a model approach to demonstrate that, by optimising circulatory function in the brain, resveratrol and other vasoactive nutrients may enhance mood and cognition and ameliorate the risk of developing dementia in postmenopausal women and other at-risk populations.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Hamish.evans@uon.edu.au.
authors.forename: Hamish Michael
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Peter.howe@newcastle.edu.au.
authors.forename: Peter Ranald Charles
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. rachel.wong@newcastle.edu.au.
authors.forename: Rachel Heloise Xiwen
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009517:New South Wales; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000523:psychology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012107:Research Design; D000077185:Resveratrol; D012307:Risk Factors; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
chemical_list: D048789:Phytoestrogens; D013267:Stilbenes; D000077185:Resveratrol
keywords: cerebrovascular function; cognition; healthy ageing; mood; physical function; postmenopausal; resveratrol; transcranial Doppler ultrasound; vasoactive nutrients