The effect of long-term Aronia melanocarpa extract supplementation on cognitive performance, mood, and vascular function: A randomized controlled trial in healthy, middle-aged individuals

Cognitive decline is associated with lifestyle-related factors such as overweight, blood pressure, and dietary composition. Studies have reported beneficial effects of dietary anthocyanins on cognition in older adults and children. However, the effect of anthocyanin-rich Aronia melanocarpa extract (AME) on cognition is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of long-term supplementation with AME on cognitive performance, mood, and vascular function in healthy, middle-aged, overweight adults. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel study, 101 participants either consumed 90 mg AME, 150 mg AME, or placebo for 24 weeks. The grooved pegboard test, number cross-out test, and Stroop test were performed as measures for psychomotor speed, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Mood was evaluated with a visual analogue scale, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was determined, and vascular function was assessed by carotid ultrasounds and blood pressure measurements. AME improved psychomotor speed compared to placebo (90 mg AME: change = -3.37; p = 0.009). Furthermore, 150 mg AME decreased brachial diastolic blood pressure compared to 90 mg AME (change = 2.44; p = 0.011), but not compared to placebo. Attention, cognitive flexibility, BDNF, and other vascular parameters were not affected. In conclusion, AME supplementation showed an indication of beneficial effects on cognitive performance and blood pressure in individuals at risk of cognitive decline

Reliable change in neuropsychological assessment of breast cancer survivors

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to enhance the current understanding and interpretation of longitudinal change on tests of neurocognitive function in individuals with cancer. Scores on standard neuropsychological instruments may be impacted by practice effects and other random forms of error. METHODS: The current study assessed the test-retest reliability of several tests and overarching cognitive domains comprising a neurocognitive battery typical of those used for research and clinical evaluation using relevant time frames. Practice effect-adjusted reliable change confidence intervals for test-retest difference scores based on a sample of patient-matched healthy controls are provided. RESULTS: By applying reliable change confidence intervals to scores from two samples of breast cancer patients at post-treatment follow-up assessment, meaningful levels of detectable change in cognitive functioning in breast cancer survivors were ascertained and indicate that standardized neuropsychological instruments may be subject to limitations in detection of subtle cognitive dysfunction over clinically relevant intervals, especially in patient samples with average to above average range baseline functioning. CONCLUSIONS: These results are discussed in relation to reported prevalence of cognitive change in breast cancer patients along with recommendations for study designs that enhance detection of treatment effects

A Citrus and Pomegranate Complex Reduces Methylglyoxal in Healthy Elderly Subjects:Secondary Analysis of a Double-Blind Randomized Cross-Over Clinical Trial

Reactive a-dicarbonyls (a-DCs), such as methylglyoxal (MGO), glyoxal (GO), and 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), are potent precursors in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In particular, MGO and MGO-derived AGEs are thought to be involved in the development of vascular complications in diabetes. Experimental studies showed that citrus and pomegranate polyphenols can scavenge a-DCs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a citrus and pomegranate complex (CPC) on the a-DCs plasma levels in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial, where thirty-six elderly subjects were enrolled. They received either 500 mg of Citrus sinensis peel extract and 200 mg of Punica granatum concentrate in CPC capsules or placebo capsules for 4 weeks, with a 4-week washout period in between. For the determination of a-DCs concentrations, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used. Following four weeks of CPC supplementation, plasma levels of MGO decreased by 9.8% (-18.7 nmol/L; 95% CI: -36.7, -0.7 nmol/L; p = 0.042). Our findings suggest that CPC supplementation may represent a promising strategy for mitigating the conditions associated with MGO involvement. This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03781999

Protocol: A Delphi Survey to Gather Feedback on a CONSORT Extension Proposal for Nutrition Intervention Trials

Data generated by nutrition intervention trials may be used to inform public health policy and decision making, though inadequate and non-standardized reporting can hinder application of results and ultimately the success of health policies. The CONSORT guidelines are widely used as a guide for reporting of RCTs in nutrition. Yet, nutrition interventions may benefit from a tailored approach to address specific challenges that have been identified for trials in this domain. A Federation of European Nutrition Societies working group was created to improve quality and completeness of reporting of nutrition trials and has proposed an extension to the CONSORT guidelines specific to nutrition RTCs. The objective of this Delphi survey is to gather opinions from a panel of nutrition and health experts and related stakeholders regarding the development of a CONSORT extension for nutrition intervention trials. The results of this survey will guide further development of the proposed extension

Perspective: peer evaluation of recommendations for CONSORT guidelines for randomized controlled trials in nutrition

Creating effective dietary guidance requires a rigorous evidence base that is predominantly developed from robust clinical trials or large scale cohort studies, with the quality of the data available depending on the completeness and accuracy of their reporting. An international group of academics from 14 institutions in 12 different countries and on five continents, working on behalf of the Federation of European Nutrition Societies within its "Improving Standards in the Science of Nutrition" initiative, reviewed the CONsolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement checklist as it pertains to nutrition trials. This perspective piece documents the procedure followed to gain input and consensus on the checklist previously published by this group, including its presentation and interrogation at the International Union of Nutritional Sciences International Congress of Nutrition 2022 (IUNS-ICN 22), inputs from a survey of journal editors, and its piloting on eight nutrition trials of diverse designs. Overall, the initiative has been met with considerable enthusiasm. At IUNS-ICN 22, refinements to our proposal were elicited through a World Café method discussion with participating nutrition scientists. The contributing journal editors provided valuable insights and the discussion led to development of a potential tool specific to assess adherence to the proposed nutrition extension checklist. The piloting of the proposed checklist provided evidence from real-life studies that reporting of nutrition trials can be improved. This initiative aims to stimulate further discussion and development of a CONSORT-nutrition-specific extension

Perspective: peer evaluation of recommendations for CONSORT guidelines for randomized controlled trials in nutrition

Creating effective dietary guidance requires a rigorous evidence base that is predominantly developed from robust clinical trials or large scale cohort studies, with the quality of the data available depending on the completeness and accuracy of their reporting. An international group of academics from 14 institutions in 12 different countries and on five continents, working on behalf of the Federation of European Nutrition Societies within its “Improving Standards in the Science of Nutrition” initiative, reviewed the CONsolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement checklist as it pertains to nutrition trials. This perspective piece documents the procedure followed to gain input and consensus on the checklist previously published by this group, including its presentation and interrogation at the International Union of Nutritional Sciences International Congress of Nutrition 2022 (IUNS-ICN 22), inputs from a survey of journal editors, and its piloting on eight nutrition trials of diverse designs. Overall, the initiative has been met with considerable enthusiasm. At IUNS-ICN 22, refinements to our proposal were elicited through a World Café method discussion with participating nutrition scientists. The contributing journal editors provided valuable insights and the discussion led to development of a potential tool specific to assess adherence to the proposed nutrition extension checklist. The piloting of the proposed checklist provided evidence from real-life studies that reporting of nutrition trials can be improved. This initiative aims to stimulate further discussion and development of a CONSORT-nutrition-specific extension

Impact of Cancer and Its Treatments on Cognitive Function: Advances in Research From the Paris International Cognition and Cancer Task Force Symposium and Update Since 2012

International audienceContextAlthough cognitive impairments have been identified in patients with non–central nervous system cancer, especially breast cancer, the respective roles of cancer and therapies, and the mechanisms involved in cognitive dysfunction remain unclear.ObjectivesTo report a state-of-the-art update from the International Cognitive and Cancer Task Force conference held in 2012.MethodsA report of the meeting and recent new perspectives are presented.ResultsRecent clinical data support that non–central nervous system cancer per se may be involved in cognitive dysfunctions associated with inflammation parameters. The role of chemotherapy on cognitive decline was confirmed in colorectal and testicular cancers. Whereas the impact of hormone therapy remains debatable, some studies support a negative impact of targeted therapies on cognition. Regarding interventions, preliminary results of cognitive rehabilitation showed encouraging results. The methodology of future longitudinal studies has to be optimized by a priori end points, the use of validated test batteries, and the inclusion of control groups. Comorbidities and aging are important factors to be taken into account in future studies. Preclinical studies in animal models highlighted the role of cancer itself on cognition and support the possible benefits of prevention/care during chemotherapy. Progress in neuroimaging will help specify neural processes affected by treatments.ConclusionClinical data and animal models confirmed that chemotherapy induces direct cognitive deficit. The benefits of cognitive rehabilitation are still to be confirmed. Studies evaluating the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairments using advanced neuroimaging techniques integrating the evaluation of genetic factors are ongoing