title: Efficacy and Safety of Crocus sativus L. in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: One Year Single-Blind Randomized, with Parallel Groups, Clinical Trial.
abstract: There is evidence to suggest the efficacy of Crocus (saffron) in the management of cognitive decline. This study examined the efficacy of Crocus in patients with amnesic and multi domain MCI (aMCImd). The participants included 17 patients on Crocus and 18 on a waiting list, who were examined with a short neuropsychological battery, MRI 3T, while some patients were examined via 256-channel electroencephalogram (HD-EEG) at baseline and after 12 months. The results showed that patients on Crocus had improved Mini-Mental State Examination scores (p = 0.015), while the control group deteriorated. Also, MRI, EEG, and ERP showed improvement in specific domains. This led us to conclude that Crocus is a good choice for management of aMCImd.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.|Medical School Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.|Greek Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association.
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsolaki
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Elina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karathanasi
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.|Information Technologies Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece.|Medical School Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioulietta
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lazarou
authors.affiliation: Greek Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association.
authors.forename: Kostas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dovas
authors.affiliation: Medical School Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verykouki
authors.affiliation: Information Technologies Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karacostas
authors.affiliation: Information Technologies Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Kostas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Georgiadis
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.|Laboratory of Medical Physics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.|Medical School Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Anthoula
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsolaki
authors.affiliation: Information Technologies Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.affiliation: Information Technologies Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kompatsiaris
authors.affiliation: Medical School Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.|Greek Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association.
authors.forename: Zacharias
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sinakos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D027622:Crocus; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D000073216:Mental Status and Dementia Tests; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Crocus sativus; electroencephalography; magnetic resonance imaging; mild cognitive impairment; saffron