Effect of Chlorogenic Acids on Cognitive Function in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

Abstract

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a global-scale issue, due in large part to the rapidly growing elderly population. The main polyphenol contained in coffee beans, chlorogenic acid (CGA), improves attention in healthy individuals. The utility of CGAs for treating MCI, however, has not been evaluated. Objective: To determine the effects of continuous CGA intake on cognitive function, especially attention, in patients diagnosed with MCI. Methods: The study was a randomized controlled crossover trial including 34 patients with MCI. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: Those who first ingested a placebo beverage and those who first ingested an active beverage containing CGAs (553.6 mg/bottle) twice daily for 12 weeks. After a 4-week washout period, the subjects ingested the other beverage (i.e., placebo or active beverage) in the same manner. Endpoint measures included scores on the Japanese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Japanese version of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive component (ADAS-cog) testing overall cognitive function, and the Japanese version of the Trail Making Test (TMT-A, TMT-B) testing attention, along with the results of blood tests to evaluate safety. Results: In the TMT-B test, participants had a significantly reduced number of errors while ingesting the CGA beverage as compared with the placebo beverage (p < 0.05), although there was no difference in test completion time. Scores in the MMSE, ADAS-cog, and TMT-A did not differ significantly between conditions. Conclusion: Continuous intake of CGAs appears to improve attention and executive function among cognitive functions in MCI.

Chlorogenic acid: A comprehensive review of the dietary sources, processing effects, bioavailability, beneficial properties, mechanisms of action, and future directions

“…A 10-year follow-up study by Larsson et al (2011) suggests that no or low coffee consumption correlates with increased risk for stroke in women (Larsson et al, 2011). Moreover, a recent randomized controlled crossover trial, which investigated the protective effects of 5-CQA against mild cognitive impairment (MCI), demonstrated the improvement of cognitive functions (executive and attention function) in patients with MCI (Ochiai, Saitou, Suzukamo, Osaki, & Asada, 2019).…”

Neuromodulation and neuroprotective effects of chlorogenic acids in excitatory synapses of mouse hippocampal slices

“…Importantly, coffee has a diversity of other bioactive constituents apart from caffeine, amongst which stem chlorogenic acids 21 . As most polyphenols, chlorogenic acids have been described as potent antioxidants 22 and several studies have shown an ability of chlorogenic acids to affect brain function 23 – 27 . Thus, interventions with diets enriched in chlorogenic acids ameliorate mood 22 , 23 and cognitive function 25 , 26 in volunteers.…”

Neuroprotective Effects of Coffee Bioactive Compounds: A Review

“…In addition, both pure chlorogenic acid and the decaffeinated green coffee blend significantly improved symptoms of headache [ 328 ]. Despite the lack of significant pro-cognitive effects after single administration [ 327 , 328 ], chlorogenic acid was reported to increase cognitive function following regular prolonged intake [ 329 , 330 ]. Saitou et al [ 330 ] investigated the effects of a 16-week intake of chlorogenic acid-added beverage or placebo on cognitive functions in 38 healthy volunteers (aged 50–69 years) with subjective memory complaints.…”

“…Moreover, biochemical studies revealed decreased plasma Aβ 42 and Aβ 42 /Aβ 40 levels and elevated dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate level [ 331 ]. In a recent randomized controlled crossover trial, the effect of prolonged chlorogenic acids intake on cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment was investigated [ 329 ]. The study was performed on 34 individuals and comprised two 12-week chlorogenic acids intake periods (553.6 mg of chlorogenic acids or placebo twice daily) with a 4-week washout period between them.…”

“…No differences between neuroprotective effects of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee suggest that chlorogenic acid, the most abundant active coffee compound, may significantly contribute to the beneficial effects of coffee on some neurodegenerative disease and cognitive decline. A few preliminary clinical trials [ 327 , 329 , 330 , 331 ] showed that regular, but not acute, chlorogenic acid intake improves cognitive function in humans. Therefore, large-scale longitudinal clinical studies are highly warranted to provide more insight into the beneficial effects of chlorogenic acid in neurodegenerative diseases.…”