Effects of Dietary Supplementation of a Microalgae Extract Containing Fucoxanthin Combined with Guarana on Cognitive Function and Gaming Performance

Abstract

Background: Esports competitive gaming requires selective visual attention, memory, quick judgment, and an ability to sustain psychomotor performance over time. Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid, found in specific microalgae varieties such as Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT), that has been purported to possess nootropic and neuroprotective effects through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated whether acute and 30-day supplementation of an extract of PT from microalgae combined with guarana (a natural source of caffeine) affects cognitive function in gamers. Materials and Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled manner, 61 experienced gamers (21.7 ± 4.1 years, 73 ± 13 kg) were randomly assigned to ingest a placebo (PL), a low-dose (LD) supplement containing 440 mg of PT extract including 1% fucoxanthin +500 mg of guarana containing 40–44 mg caffeine (MicroPhyt™, Microphyt, Baillargues, FR), or a high-dose (HD) supplement containing 880 mg of PT extract +500 mg of guarana for 30 days. At baseline, cognitive function tests were administered before supplementation, 15 min post-supplementation, and after 60 min of competitive gameplay with participants’ most played video game. Participants continued supplementation for 30 days and then repeated pre-supplementation and post-gaming cognitive function tests. General linear model univariate analyses with repeated measures and changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals were used to analyze data. Results: There was some evidence that acute and 30-day ingestion of the PT extract from microalgae with guarana improved reaction times, reasoning, learning, executive control, attention shifting (cognitive flexibility), and impulsiveness. While some effects were seen after acute ingestion, the greatest impact appeared after 30 days of supplementation, with some benefits seen in the LD and HD groups. Moreover, there was evidence that both doses of the PT extract from microalgae with guarana may support mood state after acute and 30-day supplementation. Registered clinical trial #NCT04851899.

A Standardized Extract of Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Mi136) Inhibit D-Gal Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Mice

“…Overall, these data are promising, advocating for the promotion of the microalgae extract of Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT) as a natural and viable alternative in the dietary supplement arena for improving cognitive function in humans. Notably, Leonard et al (2023) demonstrated that both acute and 30-day ingestion of two different doses of the same microalgae extract of PT tested in the present study, combined with guarana in equal quantities across the experimental groups, improved reaction times, reasoning, learning, executive control, attention shifting (cognitive flexibility), and impulsiveness in e-gamers [ 49 ]. Our research team is currently conducting two clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of PT microalgae on the cognitive function of healthy elderly individuals (NCT04832412 and NCT05759910).…”

A Standardized Extract of Microalgae <em>Phaeodactylum tricornutum</em> (Mi136) Inhibit D-gal Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Mice

“…Overall, these data are promising, advocating for the promotion of the microalgae extract of Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT) as a natural and viable alternative in the dietary supplement arena for improving cognitive function in humans. Notably, Leonard et al (2023) demonstrated that both acute and 30-day ingestion of two different doses of the same microalgae extract of PT tested in the present study, combined with guarana in equal quantities across the experimental groups, improved reaction times, reasoning, learning, executive control, attention shifting (cognitive flexibility), and impulsiveness in e-gamers [47]. Our research team is currently conducting two clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of PT microalgae on the cognitive function of healthy elderly individuals (NCT04832412 and NCT05759910).…”

Acute and Repeated Ashwagandha Supplementation Improves Markers of Cognitive Function and Mood

“…Perceptions of symptoms related to dietary supplementation (i.e., dizziness, headache, tachycardia, heart palpitations, dyspnea, nervousness, blurred vision, and others) were assessed using Likert-type scales as previously described [ 52 , 53 ].…”