does creatine improve cognition

Introduction

Creatine, a compound commonly used to enhance athletic performance, has also been investigated for its potential cognitive benefits. This synthesis examines the effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function, drawing from multiple research studies.

Key Insights

Improvement in Short-Term Memory and Intelligence/Reasoning:
- Creatine supplementation may improve short-term memory and intelligence/reasoning in healthy individuals .
No Significant Effect in Young Adults:
- Creatine does not significantly improve cognitive processing or psychomotor performance in non-sleep deprived young adults .
Enhanced Cognitive Performance Under Stress:
- Creatine supplementation can improve cognitive performance under conditions of stress, such as sleep deprivation or oxygen deprivation .
Potential Benefits for Vegetarians:
- Vegetarians may experience greater cognitive benefits from creatine supplementation compared to meat-eaters, particularly in memory tasks .
Gender Differences:
- Females may respond differently to creatine supplementation, showing higher scores in visual memory tests compared to males.
Conflicting Results in Other Cognitive Domains:
- The effects of creatine on other cognitive domains such as long-term memory, spatial memory, attention, and executive function are inconsistent and require further investigation .

Conclusion

Creatine supplementation appears to offer cognitive benefits, particularly in improving short-term memory and intelligence/reasoning, and under conditions of cognitive stress. However, its effects on other cognitive domains are less clear and may vary based on factors such as diet and gender. Further research is needed to fully understand the scope of creatine's cognitive benefits.

Does creatine improve cognition

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function of healthy individuals: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Oral creatine supplementation may improve short-term memory and intelligence in healthy individuals, but its effect on other cognitive domains remains unclear.

Creatine supplementation does not improve cognitive function in young adults

Creatine supplementation does not improve cognitive processing in non-sleep deprived young adults, suggesting it may only improve processing in individuals with impaired abilities.

Can Creatine Combat the Mental Fatigue-associated Decrease in Visuomotor Skills?

Creatine supplementation improves physical performance and cognitive functioning, but does not combat mental fatigue-induced impairments in short sport-specific psychomotor or cognitive tasks.

Cognitive effects of creatine ethyl ester supplementation

Creatine ethyl ester supplementation improves cognitive performance in some tasks, but more objective measures are needed for confirmation.

Creatine Supplementation and Brain Health

Creatine supplementation shows potential in improving cognitive processing and brain health, particularly in conditions with brain creatine deficits.

Creatine Supplementation Enhances Corticomotor Excitability and Cognitive Performance during Oxygen Deprivation

Creatine supplementation improves cognitive performance and attention capacity in healthy adults during severe oxygen deprivation, demonstrating its utility as a neuroprotective supplement.

Effect of Creatine‐Monohydrate on Cognitive Function in Healthy Male and Female Subjects

Creatine supplementation does not enhance cognitive function in healthy subjects, but females show a higher visual memory score than males.

Effect of Creatine‐Monohydrate on Cognitive Function in Subjects Who Differ in Dietary Meat Consumption

Creatine supplementation may enhance cognition in vegetarians but has no effect on those who consume meat regularly in their diet.

The influence of creatine supplementation on the cognitive functioning of vegetarians and omnivores

Creatine supplementation improves memory in vegetarians but not in omnivores, but both groups show decreased variability in reaction-time responses.

Beyond muscle: the effects of creatine supplementation on brain creatine, cognitive processing, and traumatic brain injury

Creatine supplementation may increase brain creatine, potentially benefiting cognitive processes and reducing the severity of mild traumatic brain injury.

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