Cognitex Supplementation in Elderly Adults with Memory Complaints: An Uncontrolled Open Label Trial

ABSTRACT

Background: The components of the nutritional supplement Cognitex have been individually shown to have beneficial effects on cognitive function. We evaluated the efficacy of the nutritional supplement in improving cognitive function in elderly with memory complaints. Methods: Thirty participants received three capsules of the nutritional supplement per day for 12 weeks in an open label study. Efficacy and safety measures, assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks of treatment, included cognitive evaluation using a computerized cognitive assessment tool, vital signs measurements, and physical examination. Results: Twenty-six participants completed the 12-week study. A significant improvement in memory abilities (recall, recognition, and spatial short term) was observed following 2 weeks of Cognitex treatment (mean change from baseline: 11.15 ± 2.90, 8.68 ± 2.50, and 19.85 ± 6.19, respectively). Attention (sustained and focused), visual learning, and activities of daily living (executive functions and mental flexibility) were improved as well following this short supplementation period (mean change from baseline: 9.46 ± 3.80, 3.76 ± 1.50, 17.31 ± 5.33, 9.45 ± 3.73, and 9.92 ± 4.08, respectively). After 10 additional treatment weeks, activities of daily living demonstrated an additional statistically significant improvement while the beneficial effect observed for the rest of the tested parameters remained unchanged. Conclusions: The results indicate that the nutritional supplement may improve cognitive performance in elderly with memory complaints; however, further blinded and placebo-controlled studies are needed.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier: NCT00719953.

KEYWORDS. :

• cognitive
• Cognitex
• phosphatidylserine
• glycerophosphocholine
• Vinpocetine
• uridine-5′-monophosphate
• extracts of hops
• ginger
• rosemary
• ashwagandha
• grape seed
• wild blueberry

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors would like to thank Prof. Nachum Vaisman from the Clinical Nutrition Unit at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center for being the Principal Investigator of this clinical trial.

Declaration of interest: This project was supported by Enzymotec Ltd., Israel. The authors are employed by Enzymotec. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Yael Richter, PhD, Yael Herzog, Inbal Eyal, and Tzafra Cohen, are affiliated with the Department of Research & Development, Enzymotec Ltd., P.O. Box 6, 23106 Migdal HaEmek, Israel.