Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 May;4(5):331-42.
doi: 10.3390/nu4050331. Epub 2012 May 3.

Chronic effects of a wild green oat extract supplementation on cognitive performance in older adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial

Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Chronic effects of a wild green oat extract supplementation on cognitive performance in older adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial

Rachel H X Wong et al. Nutrients. 2012 May.

Abstract

Background and aim: Preliminary evaluation of a wild green oat extract (WGOE) (Neuravena(®) ELFA(®)955, Frutarom, Switzerland) revealed an acute cognitive benefit of supplementation. This study investigated whether regular daily WGOE supplementation would result in sustained cognitive improvements.

Method: A 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial of WGOE supplementation (1500 mg/day) versus placebo was undertaken in 37 healthy adults aged 67 ± 0.8 years (mean ± SEM). Cognitive assessments included the Stroop colour-word test, letter cancellation, the rule-shift task, a computerised multi-tasking test battery and the trail-making task. All assessments were conducted in Week 12 and repeated in Week 24 whilst subjects were fasted and at least 18 h after taking the last dose of supplement.

Result: Chronic WGOE supplementation did not affect any measures of cognition.

Conclusion: It appears that the cognitive benefit of acute WGOE supplementation does not persist with chronic treatment in older adults with normal cognition. It remains to be seen whether sustained effects of WGOE supplementation may be more evident in those with mild cognitive impairment.

Keywords: Avena sativa; Neuravena; attention-concentration; cognition; older adults; wild green oat extract.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Outline of study design. During the screening visit (Week 0), participants underwent physiological and cognitive assessments including supine blood pressure (BP), DEMTECT and Stroop colour-word test to ensure their suitability for the study before they were randomized to a treatment arm. A complete battery of cognitive assessments was conducted in Week 12 before participants switched over to the alternate treatment and repeated the same assessment battery in Week 24.

References

    1. Abascal K., Yarnell E. Nervine herbs for treating anxiety. Altern. Complement. Ther. 2004;10:309–315.
    1. Bucci L.R. Selected herbals and human exercise performance. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2000;72:624S–636S. - PubMed
    1. Guo W., Wise M.L., Collins F.W., Meydani M. Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, inhibit IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation in endothelial cells. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 2008;44:415–429. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2007.10.036. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Sur R., Nigam A., Grote D., Liebel F., Southall M. Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity. Arch. Dermatol. Res. 2008;300:569–574. doi: 10.1007/s00403-008-0858-x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Berry N.M., Robinson M.J., Bryan J., Buckley J.D., Murphy J.K., Howe P.R.C. Acute effects of an Avena sativa herba extract on responses to the Stroop colour-word test. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 2010;17:635–637. - PubMed

Publication types