Brain, cardio health study for seniors

A study is under way into the effectiveness of two herbal extracts and a micronutrient combination formula on cognitive and cardiovascular health in older people.

The Centre for Human Psychopharmacology (CHP) at Swinburne University of Technology is examining the role of bacopa monniera and French Maritime Pine Bark (pinus pinaster) Pycnogenol® on cognition, cardiovascular function and other health markers. Many of these variables have been shown to be impaired as we age.

“The ageing population has been identified as one of the major issues facing contemporary Australian society, presenting significant societal, economic and personal costs,” lead Swinburne researcher, Professor Con Stough, said.

“With dementia set to become the third greatest source of health and residential aged care spending within two decades, research addressing cognitive decline in older people is critical.

“Research investigating new pharmaceutical drugs to tackle dementia has been disappointing and any new drug – even if shown to be effective – could take another 10  years before it could be released onto the market, so it is worth assessing the role of natural medicines on cognition.”

Professor Stough said up to 60% of pharmaceutical medicines are derived from plants.

Bacopa has been used in Indian medicine for more than 3,000 years as a memory and intellect enhancer. Research has already revealed positive findings on mood and memory measures.

Pilot data on Pycnogenol® has shown a reduction in markers of oxidative stress and improvements in working memory.

The combination formula is a blend of antioxidants and micronutrients including lipoic acid, B group vitamins, vitamin E and CoQ10.

The study is looking for healthy volunteers aged 60 to 75 years who:

• do not smoke
• are free from major diseases or conditions
• have no recent history of chronic/severe illness (longer than six weeks)

Participants will be asked to take a natural supplement daily for 12 months and undergo five three-hour testing sessions over a 12 month period at Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus. These sessions will involve using computerised cognitive tools and having cardiovascular measures and blood samples taken.

If you are interested in taking part in this clinical trial and would like further information, contact arcli@swin.edu.au or phone (03) 9214 8267 or (03) 9214 5472.