Investigating the Acute and Chronic Effects of an American Ginseng Root Extract on Cognition and Mood.
Investigating the Acute and Chronic Effects of an American Ginseng Root Extract on Cognition and Mood.
Ginseng refers to the extract of any slow growing perennial plant with a fleshy root, deriving from the Panax genus of the Araliaceae family. Ginseng root has been used as an intervention for the treatment of diabetes (Sotaniemi, Haapakoski & Rautio, 1995), boosting cognitive function (Scholey et al., 2010) and improving mental health (Ellis & Reddy, 2002). The most commonly used ginseng is Panax ginseng (Asia) and Panax quinquefolius (America). Ginsensosides are considered the core phytochemical compounds that contribute to the alleged beneficial effects of ginseng. In particular, ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 have been isolated and investigated for effects on cognitive function (Shin et al., 2016).
Scholey et al. (2010) was one of the first studies to provide support for a beneficial cognitive effect from American ginseng (Cereboost™), with better performance on working memory in healthy young adults. Improvements were most profound for a single dose of 200 mg on working memory tasks, specifically immediate word recall and numeric working memory speed. Cereboost also increased self-rated calmness compared to placebo, suggesting ginseng can enhance aspects of mood. Similarly, Ossoukhova et al. (2015) compared a single 200mg dose to placebo to investigate whether beneficial cognitive effects extend to a middle-aged cohort. Here, Cereboost significantly improved performance on the Cognitive Drug Research (CDR) working memory factor, specifically improving spatial working memory at three hours post dose.
Further study is required to evaluate ginseng specific effects with a standardized extract of P. quinquefolius, such as Cereboost™ on healthy participants. Significant results will have implications for investigating the neurocognitive effects in other populations, such as those with cognitive and memory problems.
The study comprises of a familiarisation visit and then two test days. The test days are separated by a 2 week interval during which time participants will be asked to consume a daily capsule for 14 days which will contain either an American ginseng root extract (200 mg Cereboost and Maltodextrin) or an identical placebo that does not contain any of the active ingredient. Participants will be asked to restrict their intake of certain foods for 48 hours before test days and intake of alcohol and caffeinated drinks for 24 hours prior. All participants will be required to fast overnight prior to each of the study days. Participants may withdraw at any time without giving any reason. In addition, a participant will be withdrawn from the study if they request discontinuation, exhibit a serious adverse event to any component of the test product, the participant significantly violates the exclusion or inclusion criteria, an illness emerges and/or opinion is that withdrawal is appropriate.
An outline of each session is as follows:
The computerized cognitive battery will include tests which are known to be sensitive to nutritional manipulations (Lamport, 2012) and will last no more than 45 minutes.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: