Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Short-term intake of the egg-protein hydrolysate Newtricious (NWT)-03 improved executive function, but underlying mechanisms and long-term effects, including other cognitive domains, are unknown.
Methods
A 36-week randomized controlled trial involving 44 overweight/obese individuals experiencing elevated Subjective Cognitive Failures (SCF; aged 60–75 years) assessed the impact of daily consumption of 5.7 g of NWT-03 or placebo powders on cognitive performance (psychomotor speed, executive function, memory) and Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF), a marker of brain vascular function. Cognitive performance was evaluated using a neurophysiological test battery (CANTAB) and CBF was measured using magnetic resonance imaging perfusion method Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL). Serum samples were collected to determine brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations.
Results
Anthropometrics, and energy and nutrient intakes remained stable throughout the trial. NWT-03 was well tolerated, and compliance was excellent (median: 99%; range: 87–103%). No overall intervention effects were observed on cognitive performance or CBF, but post-hoc analyses revealed significant improvements on executive function in women, but not men. Specifically, a reduction of 74 ms in reaction latency on the multitasking task (95% CI: −134 to −15; p = 0.02), a reduction of 9 between errors (95%CI: −14 to −3; p < 0.001), and a reduction of 9 total errors (95%CI: −15 to −3; p < 0.001) on the spatial working memory task were found in women. No intervention effects were observed on serum BDNF concentrations (p = 0.31).
Conclusion
Long-term consumption of NWT-03 improved multitasking abilities and working memory in women with elevated SCF. Brain vascular function remained unaffected. Sex differences in executive function require additional clarification.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC