What is the impact of creatine on cognition?
Searched over 200M research papers
Research Analysis by Consensus
Consensus Meter
Impact of Creatine on Cognition
Introduction to Creatine and Cognitive Function
Creatine, a popular supplement known for its benefits in enhancing athletic performance, has also been investigated for its potential cognitive benefits. This article synthesizes findings from various studies to understand the impact of creatine on cognitive function.
Creatine and Cognitive Performance in Healthy Adults
General Findings
Several studies have explored the effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function in healthy individuals. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that creatine may improve short-term memory and intelligence/reasoning in healthy adults, although its effects on other cognitive domains such as long-term memory, spatial memory, and executive function remain unclear. Another study indicated that creatine supplementation did not significantly enhance cognitive performance in young adults, suggesting that its benefits might be more pronounced in individuals with impaired cognitive processing abilities.
Gender and Dietary Differences
Research has also highlighted potential gender differences in response to creatine supplementation. One study found that females in the creatine group scored significantly higher on visual memory tests compared to males, suggesting that females may experience more cognitive benefits from creatine. Additionally, vegetarians appeared to respond better to creatine supplementation in memory tasks compared to meat-eaters, indicating that baseline dietary creatine intake might influence the cognitive effects of supplementation .
Creatine and Cognitive Function Under Stress
Sleep Deprivation and Cognitive Stress
Creatine's impact on cognition seems to be more evident under conditions of cognitive stress. Studies have shown that creatine supplementation can improve cognitive performance in individuals experiencing sleep deprivation or performing complex cognitive tasks. This suggests that creatine may help maintain cognitive function when the brain is under stress, potentially due to its role in energy supply and neuroprotection.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroprotection
There is also emerging evidence that creatine supplementation may aid in reducing the severity of symptoms and enhancing recovery from mild traumatic brain injury and concussion . However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the optimal dosing strategies for such conditions.
Creatine and Cognitive Performance in Specific Populations
Elderly Individuals
Creatine supplementation has shown promise in improving cognitive performance in elderly individuals. One study reported significant improvements in tasks such as random number generation, spatial recall, and long-term memory following creatine supplementation, indicating its potential to aid cognition in aging populations.
Adolescents with Low Academic Performance
A study protocol aimed at assessing the effects of creatine on adolescents with low academic performance suggests that creatine could potentially improve cognitive performance in this group. The study will measure changes in cognitive tasks such as processing speed, working memory, and non-visual memory, providing insights into the benefits of creatine for underperforming students.
Conclusion
In summary, creatine supplementation may offer cognitive benefits, particularly in improving short-term memory and intelligence/reasoning in healthy adults, and aiding cognitive function under stress. Gender and dietary habits may influence the extent of these benefits. While creatine shows promise for enhancing cognition in elderly individuals and potentially in adolescents with low academic performance, further research is needed to fully understand its effects across different populations and cognitive domains.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Effect of Creatine‐Monohydrate on Cognitive Function in Healthy Male and Female Subjects
Effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function of healthy individuals: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Brain Function and Health
Beyond muscle: the effects of creatine supplementation on brain creatine, cognitive processing, and traumatic brain injury
Creatine supplementation does not improve cognitive function in young adults
The Efficacy of Creatine Supplementation in Improving Cognitive Performance in Adolescents: A Phase-II, Triple-Blind, Randomized Study Protocol
Dose–Response of Creatine Supplementation on Cognitive Function in Healthy Young Adults
Effect of Creatine‐Monohydrate on Cognitive Function in Subjects Who Differ in Dietary Meat Consumption
Creatine Supplementation and Cognitive Performance in Elderly Individuals
Creatine Nitrate and Caffeine Alone and Co‐ingested on Cognition, Readiness to Perform, and Sleep Quality
Try another search
What are the future of digital wallets and mobile payments?
social media definition
What is the impact of nanotechnology on targeted cancer therapy developments?
service design
social media and mental health
What is the impact of smart home technologies on energy consumption and residential sustainability?