Nootropics and Cognitive Enhancement

Introduction

• The lecture discusses three articles related to nootropics and their effects on cognitive enhancement.

Patient Prima

• Prima, a nursing student, is struggling with memory and focus.
• She saw an ad on Instagram about nootropics that claim to enhance memory and focus and wants to know if they work.

Nootropics Overview

• Nootropics are substances that are purported to enhance cognitive function.
• They often contain amino acids, vitamins (e.g., vitamin B12), caffeine, matcha, or mushrooms.
• Claims include enhancing memory, focus, and attention.

Article 1: Representative Test

• The study lacks a formal hypothesis.
• Participants were given a treatment, and results were observed.
• A study with 78 participants showed potential benefits in three weeks.
• Improvements were noted in memory.
• Subjects in a double-blind crossover experiment experienced no withdrawal symptoms.
• The study checked for improvements across three different phases and constant hours, It also reported errors.
• There was an increase of 1.5%.

Article 2: Double-Blind Parallel Group Pilot Study

• Published in 2023. It looks at the effect of lion's mane on cognitive performance.
• The scientific name for line's mane is not mentioned in the transcript.
• Aims to check acute effects on cognitive speed (reaction time) and cognitive accuracy after one dose, and chronic effects over 28 days
• One dose was 1.8 grams.
• The study assessed overall cognitive performance and mood.
• Lion's mane grows naturally in the US and China.
• Traditionally, it was consumed in India and China.

Experimental Design

• Started with 231 people, narrowed down to a randomized set of 43 participants.
• Parallel study: one group of 22 people received the treatment for the entire duration.
• Double-blind: neither participants nor scientists knew who received the treatment.
• Participants were tested at baseline, three hours, and four hours after administration.
• Assessments included subjective tests.
• Cortisol levels were not checked.
• Positive assessments were conducted at baseline and after the intervention.

Cognitive Tasks

• Various tasks were administered, including the Stroop test and a stress test.
• The Stroop test involves identifying the color of a word rather than reading the word itself.
• Lion’s mane group showed a decrease in reaction time from 737 milliseconds to 688 milliseconds in the Stroop test, which was statistically significant (p < 0.005).
• The placebo group showed no significant change.
• Subjective tests indicated lowered stress levels in the lion’s mane group.

Conclusion

• Mind Lab Pro contains amino acids and complex elements.
• It showed an increase in median and delayed recall.

Statistical Issues

• The study used two types of distributions, a normal standard distribution and a skewed distribution.
• A p-value less than 0.05 is desired for statistical significance.
• The control group had nine people, while the experimental group had around 46 people.
• Using different distributions for the control and experimental groups makes the p-values not comparable.

Questions and Discussion

• Participants should ask questions about the presentations, with points awarded for each question.
• A question was raised about how the studies recruited volunteers or participants.
• Another question was about the definition of chronic effects (28 days), suggesting longer-term studies are needed.
• The baseline scores of the control and experimental groups were discussed. The control had less people so their average was higher.
• The author brings up that they should have a slide about what author thought about what went good and bad about the study.
• Overall analysis should include both the authors' and the presenter's comments on the strengths and drawbacks of the study.