Neurophysiological Effects of Whole Coffee Cherry Extract in Older Adults
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2018-11-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This study was designed to characterize the changes in the brain and body associated with
whole coffee cherry extract (WCCE). WCCE is a patented extract of whole coffee fruit (coffee
berries) from coffea arabica. Whole coffee cherries are a source of naturally occurring
nutrients. There are no known side effects or allergens associated with WCCE other than that
which would be associated with a consuming typical cup of coffee.
Previous studies suggest that increases in serum concentrations of both serum total and
exosomal brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) may represent one of the mechanisms
responsible for improved cognitive function after acute WCCE administration. Mild cognitive
impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal
aging and the more serious decline of dementia. It can involve problems with memory,
language, thinking and judgment that are greater than normal age-related changes.
Furthermore, MCI is associated with reduced circulating BDNF. Due to earlier studies
reporting the ability of WCCE to stimulate increases in circulating and exosomal BDNF, it has
been postulated that WCCE may also acutely improve cognitive function (as measured using
behavioral tasks and fMRI). The purpose of this study is to extend and elucidate the findings
of previous investigations by examining the acute neurophysiological effects of WCCE using
blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetic
resonance spectroscopy (MRS) employing a double-blind, randomized crossover design to
investigate the acute effects of a single dose of WCCE or placebo (silica oxide) on neuronal
activity in older participants.