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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Jun 4;12(6):1678.
doi: 10.3390/nu12061678.

Further Evidence of Benefits to Mood and Working Memory from Lipidated Curcumin in Healthy Older People: A 12-Week, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Partial Replication Study

Katherine H M Cox  1 , David J White  1 , Andrew Pipingas  1 , Kaylass Poorun  1 , Andrew Scholey  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Further Evidence of Benefits to Mood and Working Memory from Lipidated Curcumin in Healthy Older People: A 12-Week, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Partial Replication Study

Katherine H M Cox et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Curcumin (a flavonoid isolated from turmeric) affects several processes involved in neurocognitive aging. We have previously reported that short term (4-weeks) administration of a highly bioavailable curcumin preparation (Longvida©) improved working memory and reduced fatigue and stress reactivity in a healthy older cohort. The present trial (ACTRN12616000484448) was a partial replication study, evaluating similar effects at 4 and 12-weeks Longvida© supplementation. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups trial was conducted. Eighty participants aged 50-80 years (mean = 68.1, SD = 6.34) were randomised to receive Longvida© (400 mg daily containing 80 mg curcumin) or a matching placebo. Assessment took place at baseline then following 4 and 12 weeks treatment. Outcome measures included cognitive performance, mood and biomarkers. Compared with placebo, curcumin was associated with several significant effects. These included better working memory performance at 12-weeks (Serial Threes, Serial Sevens and performance on a virtual Morris Water Maze), and lower fatigue scores on the Profile of Mood States (POMS) at both 4 and 12-weeks, and of tension, anger, confusion and total mood disturbance at 4-weeks only. The curcumin group had significantly elevated blood glucose. These results confirm that Longvida© improves aspects of mood and working memory in a healthy older cohort. The pattern of results is consistent with improvements in hippocampal function and may hold promise for alleviating cognitive decline in some populations.

Keywords: cognition; curcumin; mood; working memory.

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Conflict of interest statement

The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results. D.J.W., A.P. and A.S. have received funding from the nutrition and supplement industry.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Modified Consort diagram showing participant recruitment and flow through the trial. Key: WD, withdrew; NTEE, Non-treatment emergent event (adverse event with onset prior to commencement of the trial intervention); Meds, use of medication listed in exclusion criteria; AE, adverse event; * Three participants (2 × Placebo, 1 × Curcumin) did not complete the Interim visit but did complete the Endpoint visit.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effects of Longvida© curcumin on mood. Graphs depict baseline adjusted means with SEM (or 95% confidence intervals due to back transformation for a. 12-week, c. both, d. 4-week; see Supplementary Table S3 for unadjusted means and standard deviations). *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.005.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Positive effects of Longvida© on major cognitive outcomes. Graphs depict baseline adjusted means with Standard Error. Outcomes are number (#) correct for (a) Serial Threes and (b) Serial Sevens and time (t) in the target quadrant during the learning probe for (c) the virtual Morris Maze. *, p < 0.05; ***, p < 0.005.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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