Effects of 12-Week Bacopa monnieri

At present, the scientific evidence concerning the effect of Bacopa monnieri on brain activity together with working memory is less available. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of B. monnieri on attention, cognitive processing, working memory, and cholinergic and monoaminergic functions in healthy elderly. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design was utilized. Sixty healthy elderly subjects (mean age 62.62 years; SD 6.46), consisting of 23 males and 37 females, received either a standardized extract of B. monnieri (300 and 600 mg) or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. The cholinergic and monoaminergic systems functions were determined using AChE and MAO activities. Working memory was assessed using percent accuracy and reaction time of various memory tests as indices, whereas attention and cognitive processing were assessed using latencies and amplitude of N100 and P300 components of event-related potential. All assessments were performed before treatment, every four weeks throughout study period, and at four weeks after the cessation of intervention. B. monnieri-treated group showed improved working memory together with a decrease in both N100 and P300 latencies. The suppression of plasma AChE activity was also observed. These results suggest that B. monnieri can improve attention, cognitive processing, and working memory partly via the suppression of AChE activity

On the use of the P300 as a tool for cognitive processing assessment in healthy aging: A review

Changes in patterns of performance for the cognitive functions of memory, processing speed, and focused attention are expected in old age. Objective: The main goal of this systematic review was to analyze the use of ERP in healthy elderly in studies evaluating the P300 components. Methods: A systematic review was carried out based on recommendations for nursing research on the databases LILACS, PsycINFO, PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science. Results: 26 studies involving 940 healthy elderly were identified, most of which sought to identify and determine the influence of age on the P300. Conclusion: Although there is consensus in the literature that P300 latency is significantly longer in elderly with psychiatric disorders compared to healthy elderly, it was not possible to conclude P300 associations with gender, education and other cognitive tests.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar)Federal University of ABC (UFABC) Engineering Modeling and Applied Social Sciences Center (CECS)Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) Gerontology DepartmentSão Paulo State University (UNESP) Physical Activity and Aging LabSão Paulo State University (UNESP) Physical Activity and Aging LabFAPESP: 2017/04129-9CNPq: 304068/2015-