Astaxanthin formula supports memory: study

Study formula included astaxanthin, vitamin E and grape juice extract. 

Results showed improvement in episodic memory, the first type to erode as dementia develops. 

The study done on a mixed formula containing astaxanthin found a positive change in a measure of memory in a cohort of people suffering from self-reported cognitive difficulties. 

The new research was published in the journal Nutrients. It was the work of a team of researchers associated with a contract research organization, a university in Australia and Pharmanex Research, a division of NuSkin Enterprises. 

Researchers are exploring methods to help people with age-related cognitive decline (they refer to it as subjective memory disorder, or SMC for short). They believe that SMC is an indicator of more serious problems in the future.

"The elderly with subjective memory disorder are twice as likely to develop dementia as those without such disorder. Among the elderly with subjective memory disorder, approximately 2.3% and 6.6% of people develop dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) respectively each year," they wrote.

Therefore, by reducing the occurrence rate of subjective memory disorder, researchers can assess the effectiveness of their formula in reducing the likelihood of more serious problems in the future, while avoiding the complexity of dealing with already ill research subjects.）

Mixed suite of antioxidant ingredients 

For their intervention, the researchers used a formula that included 250 mg of grape juice extract, 12 mg of vitamin E and 9 mg of astaxanthin. All these ingredients have demonstrated antioxidant activity. High levels of oxidative stress have been associated with memory problems, the authors wrote. 

For the research subjects, the researchers recruited 100 male and female individuals aged around 59 years old. Their body types ranged from slender to moderately obese, and all had mild memory impairments. All the participants were able to live independently. The researchers excluded smokers and those with various underlying diseases (including diagnosed cognitive impairments or dementia). The size of the experimental groups and the placebo groups was the same, and the final ratio of male to female was approximately 4:1.

In terms of assessment results, the researchers measured the performance of the subjects in a series of standardized memory tests, which were used to measure changes in episodic memory, working memory, and language learning and memory. They also measured a series of biomarkers related to cognitive decline, including plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Other cognitive tests and objective cognitive performance indicators including attention accuracy, information processing speed, and visual spatial learning were also included in the secondary analysis. The researchers required the subjects to take 2 research formula pills (each in soft capsule form) or the same dose of placebo daily for 12 weeks. Before the study and at 12 weeks, the subjects were evaluated through cognitive tests, and blood samples were taken at the same time. During this period, the subjects filled out questionnaires at 4 weeks and 8 weeks.

The results presented a complex situation

The results presented a mixed bag, with only one of the three primary measures showing statistically significant improvement over placebo. 

“The results from this 12-week study provide some support for the cognitive-enhancing effects of a nutraceutical containing astaxanthin, vitamin E, and grape juice extract in adults with self-reported memory complaints. This was demonstrated by improvements in one primary outcome measure (episodic memory) but not working memory or verbal learning,” the authors wrote. 

For a possible mode of action for this effect, the researchers pointed to some of the measures of possible memory-related biomarkers. 

“Cognitive benefits may be achieved via the nutraceutical increasing BDNF (a neurotrophin) and reducing MDA (oxidative stress marker) concentrations,” they wrote. 

Importance of preserving episodic memory 

The authors noted that the change observed in episodic memory is promising, as changes in this form of memory are strongly correlated with the early stages of dementia. 

“Episodic memory is a cognitive process involving the retention, recall, and encoding of information about experiences and events concerning a specific time and place. During aging, episodic memory declines and has been suggested to be the most age-sensitive memory system. A worsening in episodic memory is one of the earliest and most common symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, and in people with Alzheimer’s disease, severe deficits are present in this cognitive process,” they wrote.