Supplementation with Matured Hop Bitter Acids Improves Cognitive Performance and Mood State in Healthy Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline

Abstract

Background: Prevention of age-related cognitive decline and depression is becoming urgent because of rapid growing aging populations. Effects of vagal nerve activation on brain function by food ingredients are inadequately investigated; matured hop bitter acid (MHBA) administration reportedly improves cognitive function and depression via vagal nerve activation in model mice. Objective: We investigated the effects of MHBA supplementation on cognitive function and mood state in healthy older adults with perceived subjective cognitive decline. Methods: Using a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial design, 100 subjects (aged 45–69 years) were randomly assigned into placebo ( n = 50) and MHBA ( n = 50) groups, and received placebo or MHBA capsules daily for 12 weeks. Results: Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) score assessing divided attention at week 12 was significantly higher ( p = 0.045) and β-endorphin at week 12 was significantly lower ( p = 0.043) in the subjects receiving MHBA. Transthyretin in serum, a putative mild cognitive impairment marker, was significantly higher at week 12 in the MHBA group than in the placebo group ( p = 0.048). Subgroup analysis classified by the subjective cognitive decline questionnaire revealed that in addition to improved SDMT scores, memory retrieval assessed using the standard verbal paired-associate learning tests and the Ray Verbal Learning Test at week 12 had significantly improved in the subgroup with perceived subjective cognitive decline and without requirement for medical assistance in the MHBA group compared with that in the placebo group. Conclusion: This study suggested that MHBA intake improves cognitive function, attention, and mood state in older adults.

Effects of Nutrition on Cognitive Function in Adults with or without Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

“…Treatment improved verbal memory and executive function compared to participants in the placebo group [82]. The same supplement was tested in 49 adults (45-69 years), increasing the Symbol Digit Modalities Test score and also memory retrieval in the subgroup with SCD [83]. The effect of low (600 mg/d, n = 30) and high-doses (1200 mg/d, n = 30) of Tremella fuciformis (TF) consumption on cognition was evaluated in 60 young adults after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, and subjects in the intervention group showed fewer self-reported cognitive complaints, better short-memory and executive functions compared to placebo in a non-dependent dose manner.…”

“…Other dietary supplements that have shown significant improvements on different cognitive domains are fungi and algae extracts (Hericiumerinaceus, Tremella fuciformis and Laminaria japonica), other plant extracts (Eleutherococcussenticosus leaf, Drynariafortuneirhizome, combined sage, rosemary and melissa, auraptene, astaxanthin and matured hop bitter acids), minerals such as magnesium, medium-chain triglycerides and the complex Twendee X (supplement containing a mix of eight antioxidants). The consumption of the above antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplements not only significantly improved subjective memory complaints [84] and scores in different cognitive domains such as psychomotor and processing speed [73], working memory [76,77,79,81], short-term memory [74,76,77,84], spatial working memory [75,79,81,87], verbal episodic memory [78], verbal fluency [75,82,83], language [75,79,81,87], executive functions [79,82,84] and attention [79,83,87], but also cortical gray matter integrity in AD-related brain regions [84]. The spermidine-rich plant extract also had an impact on memory performance in subjects with SCD, although this was not significant, probably due to the small sample size (n = 30) and/or the short follow-up period (3 months) [85].…”

The Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease Modifiable Risk Factors and Prevention

“…It is not advisable to take excessive drinking in daily life, as for the heavy alcohol drinkers, extracellular coldinducible RNA-binding protein (eCIRP) might mediate tau phosphorylation, leading to the progression of alcohol-induced AD (91). After matured hop bitter acid supplementation from beer, improvement of cognitive status was confirmed in a randomized trial (92). Particularly, alcohol from wine appeared to be stronger inversely related to the risk of dementia (89,90), polyphenolic and antioxidant contents in wine showed greater protective effects against neurodegeneration (93).…”

Redox and Anti-Inflammatory Properties from Hop Components in Beer-Related to Neuroprotection

“…In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy adults, it was observed that the consumption of matured hop bitter acids (35 mg/day for 12 weeks) improved mental fatigue, mood state, verbal memory retrieval, and anxiety when compared with the placebo group (45-64 years) [115]. Indeed, hop bitter acids improved cognitive function, attention, and mood state in older people (45-69 years) with subjective cognitive decline [116].…”