Dominik Wolf, F. Fischer, R. Flores
Jul 1, 2015
Citations
0
Influential Citations
0
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Alzheimer's & Dementia
Abstract
Background:Carnosine and Anserine are strong antioxidants, previously demonstrated to reduce cognitive decline in animal studies. Methods:Thirty-two healthy participants (age 40-78, IQR1⁄458-71, 10M/22F) were recruited in Tokyo area. Each participant signed written consent to participate in the study. Exclude criteria was following: 1) those who have a neuropsychiatric disorder or head injury. 2) having local lesions, such as a brain tumor or cerebral infarction, which affects a cognitive function by first-time MRI, are found. 3) having the metal or electrical conductivity is contained, or a problem arises at the time of an MRI image pick-up for claustrophobia. Participants were randomized to twice-daily doses of imidazole dipeptide formula (n1⁄415), including 500 mg in total (Carnosine/Anserine1⁄41/3) from chicken meat (produced by Nippon Meat Packers Inc., Japan), or an identical placebo (n1⁄417) in a double-blinded study. Assignment to dipeptide or placebo was determined by age and gender. Functional MRI (3T Siemens, MAGNETOM Verio) and neuropsychological assessments were carried out at baseline and after 3 months. We analysed resting state fMRI data with the FSL analysis pipeline. Processing steps included the FSLFIX for noise filtering, melodic ICA, dual regression and randomize statistical analysis functions. This study is supported by Scientific technique promotion program for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food industry, fromMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (MAFF), Government of Japan. Results: There were no differences in neuropsychological scores and functional network connectivity between the groups at baseline. After 3 months of supplementation, the Carnosine/Anserine group showed decreased coupling between the default mode network, right fronto-parietal network and vast brain regions, compared with placebo (p<0.01). Additionally, the Carnosine/Anserine group showed less decline in WMS-LMII scores compared with placebo; this was statistically significant for the over-60 age group (n1⁄422) (p1⁄40.01). Conclusions:This is the first human study of the neurocognitive effects of Carnosine/Anserine supplementation. The results indicate that Carnosine/Anserine supplementation may have cognitive benefits, particularly in the more elderly population. Furthermore, changes in resting state functional connectivity may be a potential biomarker or even underlie these cognitive benefits. An expanded study is currently under way.