Bioactive plant-based compounds have shown promise as protective agents across multiple domains including improvements in neurological and psychological measures. Methodological challenges have limited our understanding of the neurophysiological changes associated with polyphenol-rich supplements such as whole coffee cherry extract (WCCE). In the current study, we (1) compared 100 mg of WCCE to a placebo using an acute, randomized, double-blind, within-subject, cross-over design, and we (2) conducted a phytochemical analysis of WCCE. The primary objective of the study was to determine the neurophysiological and behavioral changes that resulted from the acute administration of WCCE. We hypothesized that WCCE would increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glutamate levels while also increasing neurofunctional measures in cognitive brain regions. Furthermore, we expected there to be increased behavioral performance associated with WCCE, as measured by reaction time and accuracy. Participants underwent four neuroimaging scans (pre- and post-WCCE and placebo) to assess neurofunctional/metabolic outcomes using functional magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results suggest that polyphenol-rich WCCE is associated with decreased reaction time and may protect against cognitive errors on tasks of working memory and response inhibition. Behavioral findings were concomitant with neurofunctional changes in structures involved in decision-making and attention. Specifically, we found increased functional connectivity between the anterior cingulate and regions involved in sensory and decision-making networks. Additionally, we observed increased BDNF and an increased glutamate/gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) ratio following WCCE administration. These results suggest that WCCE is associated with acute neurophysiological changes supportive of faster reaction times and increased, sustained attention.

中文翻译：

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全咖啡樱桃提取物对主观认知障碍老年人的神经生理学影响：一项随机、双盲、安慰剂对照、交叉试点研究


生物活性植物化合物已显示出作为跨多个领域的保护剂的前景，包括改善神经和心理措施。方法学上的挑战限制了我们对与富含多酚的补充剂（例如全咖啡樱桃提取物（WCCE））相关的神经生理学变化的理解。在当前研究中，我们 (1) 使用急性、随机、双盲、受试者内交叉设计将 100 毫克 WCCE 与安慰剂进行比较，并且 (2) 对 WCCE 进行了植物化学分析。该研究的主要目的是确定急性施用 WCCE 所导致的神经生理学和行为变化。我们假设 WCCE 会增加脑源性神经营养因子 (BDNF) 和谷氨酸水平，同时还会增加认知大脑区域的神经功能测量。此外，我们预计 WCCE 相关的行为表现会有所提高（通过反应时间和准确性来衡量）。参与者接受了四次神经影像扫描（WCCE 之前和之后以及安慰剂），以使用功能磁共振成像和磁共振波谱评估神经功能/代谢结果。结果表明，富含多酚的 WCCE 与反应时间缩短有关，并且可以防止工作记忆和反应抑制任务中的认知错误。行为发现伴随着决策和注意力结构的神经功能变化。具体来说，我们发现前扣带回和涉及感觉和决策网络的区域之间的功能连接有所增加。此外，我们观察到 WCCE 给药后 BDNF 增加，谷氨酸/γ-氨基丁酸 (GABA) 比率增加。 这些结果表明 WCCE 与急性神经生理学变化相关，这些变化支持更快的反应时间和增加、持续的注意力。