Lutein and Zeaxanthin Influence Brain Function in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lindbergh, Cutter A.; Renzi-Hammond, Lisa; Hammond, Billy R.; Terry, Douglas P.; Mewborn, Catherine M; Puente, Antonio N.; Miller, L. Stephen

doi:10.1017/s1355617717000534

Cited by 73 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…The brain, like the retina, is highly vascularized and lutein, either localized in cells or circulation, might be expected to affect that vasculature. Recent research using the same participants as tested in this study suggests that supplementing L and Z can also change cortical blood flow, measured during a word recall test in an fMRI testing environment, which would be consistent with vascular effects.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

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Neural Activation During Visual Attention Differs in Individuals with High versus Low Macular Pigment Density

Oliver

Renzi-Hammond

Thorne

et al. 2019

Molecular Nutrition Food Res

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Scope The neural efficiency hypothesis for lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) suggests that higher levels of L+Z in the central nervous system (CNS) are predictive of stronger stimulus‐specific brain responses. Past research suggests that supplementing L+Z can improve neural processing speed and cognitive function across multiple domains, which supports this hypothesis. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which CNS L+Z levels predict brain responses using an attentionally taxing task. Methods and results Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is measured at baseline in 85 participants ranging in age from 18–92 years. Brain activation is measured using dense array electroencephalography. Stimuli evoking the signal include a grating array of vertical bars, oscillating at four driving frequencies. Significant stimulus‐specific interactions are detected between attend condition, location, and age (p < .002) for unattended image locations, and between age and location (p < .008) for attended locations. Although no differences are found across age by MPOD, this measure is found to be predictive of neural power at parafoveal bar locations (R2 .080). Conclusion CNS L+Z status is related to differences in brain activation in conditions designed to stress visual attention. These differences are strongest for older subjects.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…As part of a larger study on MPOD and cognitive and neurological function, data from 85 right‐handed community‐dwelling adults were analyzed in this sub‐study. The young adult study group ( n = 43) was composed of male and female participants aged 18–30 years ( M = 20.79 ± 2.16 years; 46.5 % female).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neural Activation During Visual Attention Differs in Individuals with High versus Low Macular Pigment Density

Oliver

Renzi-Hammond

Thorne

et al. 2019

Molecular Nutrition Food Res

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“…Healthrelated benefits associated with a high carotenoid intake include enhanced immune system functions and lower risk of developing degenerative chronic diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, type 2 diabetes, obesity, certain types of cancer (breast, cervical, ovarian, colorectal), and cardiovascular diseases, among others [301][302][303][304][305][306][307][308]. Carotenoids are also attracting interest as promoters of cognitive functions [309][310][311] as well as skin photoprotectants and providers of cosmetic benefits, particularly in the context of the rapidly expanding nutricosmetics area [312]. Because carotenoids may undergo significant degradation and/or metabolism in the human body, it is far from certain whether the native compounds or rather their metabolites are responsible for the attributed health effects.…”

Section: Health Benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is evidence of a protective role of lutein and zeaxanthin against age-related macular degeneration, a major cause of blindness in the elderly [326,328,331,332]. Moreover, they also accumulate in brain tissue and there is increasing evidence that they provide cognitive benefits [309][310][311].…”

Section: Health Benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A global perspective on carotenoids: Metabolism, biotechnology, and benefits for nutrition and health

Rodríguez‐Concepción

Ávalos

Bonet

et al. 2018

Progress in Lipid Research

726

584

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Carotenoids are lipophilic isoprenoid compounds synthesized by all photosynthetic organisms and some non-photosynthetic prokaryotes and fungi. With some notable exceptions, animals (including humans) do not produce carotenoids de novo but take them in their diets. In photosynthetic systems carotenoids are essential for photoprotection against excess light and contribute to light harvesting, but perhaps they are best known for their properties as natural pigments in the yellow to red range. Carotenoids can be associated to fatty acids, sugars, proteins, or other compounds that can change their physical and chemical properties and influence their biological roles. Furthermore, oxidative cleavage of carotenoids produces smaller molecules such as apocarotenoids, some of which are important pigments and volatile (aroma) compounds. Enzymatic breakage of carotenoids can also produce biologically active molecules in both plants (hormones, retrograde signals) and animals (retinoids). Both carotenoids and their enzymatic cleavage products are associated with other processes positively impacting human health. Carotenoids are widely used in the industry as food ingredients, feed additives, and supplements. This review, contributed by scientists of complementary disciplines related to carotenoid research, covers recent advances and provides a perspective on future directions on the subjects of carotenoid metabolism, biotechnology, and nutritional and health benefits.

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“…A number of recent studies have shown that lutein status (i.e., measured in serum/diet and directly in retina, MP) correlates with a number of centrally‐mediated functions including numerous aspects of cognition . In addition, recent imaging studies also suggest a relationship between lutein and CNS functioning …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary Carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin Change Brain Activation in Older Adult Participants: A Randomized, Double‐Masked, Placebo‐Controlled Trial

Ceravolo

Hammond

Oliver

et al. 2019

Molecular Nutrition Food Res

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Scope Steady‐state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) can be used to test the topological response of cortical neurons. Studies have shown that a lutein (L) preferentially accumulates within cortical tissue. L, zeaxanthin (Z), and their isomers can be measured directly in retina (macular pigment optical density, MPOD), and retinal L+Z correlate highly with L+Z levels in cortical visual processing areas. The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between MPOD and SSVEP signal power, cross‐sectionally and after supplementation with L+Z. Methods and Results SSVEP to three different driving frequencies of stimulation (5, 10, and 16.6 Hz) were obtained for community‐dwelling older adults, at baseline and after 12 months of supplementation with either 12 mg L+Z or placebo. Power was quantified at the driving frequencies. Non‐specific activation was quantified within the 10–15 Hz band. MPOD was measured psychophysically. Subjects with low MPOD had reduced power at 16.6 Hz and reduced non‐specific activation, compared with subjects with high MPOD. Supplementation significantly improved signal power at 5 and 10 Hz. Conclusion Past research suggests that L+Z can improve visual memory, visual processing speeds, etc. One possible mechanism for that improvement may be improving signal‐to‐noise ratio throughout the vision system.

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Lutein and Zeaxanthin Influence Brain Function in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract: L and Z supplementation appears to benefit neurocognitive function by enhancing cerebral perfusion, even if consumed for a discrete period of time in late life. (JINS, 2018, 24, 77-90).

Cited by 73 publications

References 88 publications

Neural Activation During Visual Attention Differs in Individuals with High versus Low Macular Pigment Density

Neural Activation During Visual Attention Differs in Individuals with High versus Low Macular Pigment Density

A global perspective on carotenoids: Metabolism, biotechnology, and benefits for nutrition and health

Dietary Carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin Change Brain Activation in Older Adult Participants: A Randomized, Double‐Masked, Placebo‐Controlled Trial

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