A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study examining the effects of a combination nutraceutical formula on cognitive functioning and mood

The combination nutraceutical formula consisting of Huperzine A, Vinpocetine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine was examined in a 30-day double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial assessing a range of cognitive and mood variables. Seventy-four healthy participants, 43 in the combination nutraceutical formula group and 31 in the placebo group, with a mean age of 48 years, completed the study. Statistically significant improvements in several variables relative to placebo could be attributed to the 30 days administration of the combination nutraceutical formula, including working memory accuracy (p < .03), long term memory consolidation (p < .02) and mood (p < .02), suggesting an improvement in complex cognitive processes. The cognitive processes assess both the initial stages of holding information in conscious awareness as well as the encoding and retrieval of recently learned material. The mood measures assessed levels of anger and depression. Interestingly, improvements in speed of memory retrieval suggest functioning equivalent to age cohorts of approximately 10 or more years younger. A range of more simple measures of information processing speed, such as reaction time and other indices of mood, were not improved. The results suggest the promise of special nutraceutical formulations for improving cognition. There were also no side effects or adverse reactions reported by the participants.