Enhanced neural activation with blueberry supplementation in mild cognitive impairment

Nutr Neurosci. 2018 May;21(4):297-305. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2017.1287833. Epub 2017 Feb 21.

Abstract

Objectives: Preclinical studies have shown that blueberry supplementation can improve cognitive performance and neural function in aged animals and have identified associations between anthocyanins and such benefits. Preliminary human trials also suggest cognitive improvement in older adults, although direct evidence of enhancement of brain function has not been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated the effect of blueberry supplementation on regional brain activation in older adults at risk for dementia.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we performed pre- and post-intervention functional magnetic resonance imaging during a working memory (WM) task to assess the effect of blueberry supplementation on blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, a risk condition for dementia.

Results: Following daily supplementation for 16 weeks, blueberry-treated participants exhibited increased BOLD activation in the left pre-central gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, and left inferior parietal lobe during WM load conditions (corrected P < 0.01). There was no clear indication of WM enhancement associated with blueberry supplementation. Diet records indicated no between-group difference in anthocyanin consumption external to the intervention.

Discussion: These data demonstrate, for the first time, enhanced neural response during WM challenge in blueberry-treated older adults with cognitive decline and are consistent with prior trials showing neurocognitive benefit with blueberry supplementation in this at-risk population.

Keywords: Aging; Blueberries; Brain activation; Dementia; MCI; fMRI.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anthocyanins / pharmacology
  • Blueberry Plants / chemistry*
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / physiology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diagnostic imaging
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diet therapy*
  • Dementia
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Frontal Lobe / drug effects
  • Fruit
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term
  • Parietal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Parietal Lobe / drug effects
  • Prefrontal Cortex / diagnostic imaging
  • Prefrontal Cortex / drug effects

Substances

  • Anthocyanins