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Lanou AJ, Mast AC, Hill BD, Kim SS, Hanaway P. A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of a Novel Dietary Supplement (Braini) on Standardized CNS Vital Signs Cognitive Performance Parameters in Adults. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE 2023; 29:303-312. [PMID: 36856456 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2022.0543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To test the effectiveness of a novel dietary supplement as a support for cognitive function in healthy younger and older adults Design: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the dietary supplement, Braini® in two age cohorts with 60 participants: 31 healthy younger adults (18-30 years) and 29 healthy older adults (55-80 years). Intervention: A 28-day intervention of a dietary supplement (active or placebo) taken daily with cognitive assessment using CNS Vital Signs computer-based testing at day 0 and 28. Participants were asked to fill out a daily survey regarding compliance with supplement protocol, changes in health, adherence to the protocol, and reported side effects. CNS Vital Signs provides aged normed aggregated outcome measures for Processing Speed, Psychomotor Speed, Reaction Time, Cognitive Flexibility, Executive Function, and Motor Speed. Results: Significant improvements in performance were found for two CNS Vital Signs domains, Cognitive Flexibility (p = 0.048), and Executive Function (p = 0.025) in the treated younger adults (n = 12) compared with the placebo group (n = 19) at day 28 compared with baseline. The Shifting Attention Test Reaction Time (SAT-RT), a measure of shifting attention correct response reaction time, showed significant improvement at 28 days in those taking Braini in both younger (p = 0.004) and older adult cohorts (p = 0.05) with an average improvement over the control subjects of 44%. No serious side effects were reported. Conclusions: The dietary formulation, Braini, safely and significantly improved cognitive flexibility and executive function in younger adults and trended positively in older adults in this study that was stopped prematurely due to pandemic restrictions. Scores on SAT-RT significantly improved in both younger and older adults. Further studies are needed to confirm that Braini reliably improves cognitive function in additional CNS domains in healthy adults (Clinicaltrials.gov under registration number: NCT04025255).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Joy Lanou
- Department of Health and Wellness, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Aubrey C Mast
- Department of Health and Wellness, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Benjamin D Hill
- Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Sung-Su Kim
- Precision Medicision Research Center, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
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DeGraba TJ, Williams K, Koffman R, Bell JL, Pettit W, Kelly JP, Dittmer TA, Nussbaum G, Grammer G, Bleiberg J, French LM, Pickett TC. Efficacy of an Interdisciplinary Intensive Outpatient Program in Treating Combat-Related Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Conditions. Front Neurol 2021; 11:580182. [PMID: 33536993 PMCID: PMC7848806 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.580182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Since 2000, over 413,000 US service members (SM) experienced at least one traumatic brain injury (TBI), and 40% of those with in-theater TBIs later screened positive for comorbid psychological health (PH) conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Many SMs with these persistent symptoms fail to achieve a recovery that results in a desirable quality of life or return to full duty. Limited information exists though to guide treatment for SMs with a history of mild TBI (mTBI) and comorbid PH conditions. This report presents the methods and outcomes of an interdisciplinary intensive outpatient program (IOP) in the treatment of SMs with combat-related mTBI and PH comorbidities. The IOP combines conventional rehabilitation therapies and integrative medicine techniques with the goal of reducing morbidity in multiple neurological and behavioral health domains and enhancing military readiness. Methods: SMs (n = 1,456) with residual symptoms from mTBI and comorbid PH conditions were treated in a 4-week IOP at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). The IOP uses an interdisciplinary, holistic, and patient-centric rehabilitative care model. Interdisciplinary teams provide a diagnostic workup of neurological, psychiatric, and existential injuries, and from these assessments, individualized care plans are developed. Treatment response was assessed using the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), PTSD Checklist—Military Version (PCL-M), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) and administered at admission, discharge, and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-discharge. Findings: Following treatment in the IOP, the symptomatic patients had statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements across all outcome measures. The largest effect size was seen with GAD-7 (r = 0.59), followed by PHQ-8 (r = 0.56), NSI (r = 0.55), PCL-M (r = 0.52), ESS (r = 0.50), SWLS (r = 0.49), and HIT-6 (r = 0.42). In cross-sectional follow ups, the significant improvements were sustained at 1, 3, and 6 months post-discharge. Interpretation: This report demonstrates that an interdisciplinary IOP achieves significant and sustainable symptom recovery in SMs with combat-related mTBI and comorbid PH conditions and supports the further study of this model of care in complex medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J DeGraba
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kathy Williams
- Credence Management Solutions, Vienna, VA, United States
| | - Robert Koffman
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jennifer L Bell
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, J9, Defense Health Agency, McClean, VA, United States
| | - Wendy Pettit
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - James P Kelly
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Marcus Institute for Brain Health, Aurora, CO, United States
| | | | - George Nussbaum
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Geoffrey Grammer
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Joseph Bleiberg
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Louis M French
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Treven C Pickett
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Bisson Desrochers A, Rouleau I, Angehrn A, Vasiliadis HM, Saumier D, Brunet A. Trauma on duty: cognitive functioning in police officers with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021; 12:1959117. [PMID: 34721819 PMCID: PMC8555514 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1959117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropsychological alterations co-occur with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); yet, the nature and magnitude of such alterations in police officers remains unknown despite their high level of trauma exposure. OBJECTIVE The current research sought to examine (1) cognitive functioning among police officers with and without PTSD; (2) the clinical significance of their cognitive performance; and (3) the relationship between PTSD symptoms and cognition. METHOD Thirty-one police officers with PTSD were compared to thirty age- and sex-matched trauma-exposed officers without PTSD. Clinical assessment and self-report questionnaires established PTSD status. All participants underwent a neuropsychological evaluation. RESULTS Police officers with PTSD displayed lower cognitive performance across several domains, notably executive functioning, verbal learning and memory, and lexical access, compared to controls. The neuropsychological decrements in the PTSD group were mild compared to normative data, with average performances falling within normal limits. Among officers with PTSD, higher levels of intrusion symptoms were associated with reduced efficacy in executive functioning, as well as attention and working memory. Moreover, increased intrusion and avoidance symptoms were associated with slower information processing speed. CONCLUSION Considering that even mild subclinical cognitive difficulties may affect their social and occupational functioning, it appears important to integrate neuropsychological assessments in the clinical management of police officers diagnosed with PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bisson Desrochers
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Psychosocial Research Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Isabelle Rouleau
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Andréanne Angehrn
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec àTrois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Helen-Maria Vasiliadis
- Department of Community Health Science, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel Saumier
- Psychosocial Research Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alain Brunet
- Psychosocial Research Division, Douglas Mental Health University Institute Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Rehman Y, Zhang C, Ye H, Fernandes L, Marek M, Cretu A, Parkinson W. The extent of the neurocognitive impairment in elderly survivors of war suffering from PTSD: meta-analysis and literature review. AIMS Neurosci 2020; 8:47-73. [PMID: 33490372 PMCID: PMC7815483 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2021003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review on elderly survivors of war suffering from PTSD to estimate the variability in their cognitive impairment based on individual neuropsychological tests. Methods We included case control studies that explored the association of cognitive deficits in elderly PTSD civilian survivor of wars (age >60 years), using MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO from the inception to January 2018. We compared the cognitive performances in three comparisons i) PTSD+ vs. PTSD− civilian survivors of war; ii) PTSD+ vs. Control and iii) PTSD− vs. Control. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for case-control studies. Results Out of 2939 titles and abstracts, 13 studies were eligible for data extraction. As compared to PTSD− civilian survivors of war, PTSD+ civilian survivors of war demonstrated significant deficits on TMT-A, TMT-B, Digit span backward, explicit memory low pair associate, CVLT recognition, WAIS-verbal and non-verbal tests. As compared to health controls, PTSD+ survivors demonstrated significantly lower performance on explicit memory low pair and high associate, RAVLT immediate and delayed recall, CVLT delayed and short cued recall. Performance on the neuropsychological test between PTSD− survivors of war and controls was not significant for all tests. Conclusion The pattern suggests that PTSD+ survivors of war had poorer performance in tasks requiring processing speed, executive function, attention, working memory and learning. The magnitude of the cognitive deficits in our pooled analysis was small to moderate depending on the neuropsychological test. Most of our pooled analysis suffered from a high risk of bias, which lowered the confidence in our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Rehman
- Health Research Methodology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Cindy Zhang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada
| | - Haolin Ye
- Faculty of Life Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada
| | - Lionel Fernandes
- Faculty of Life Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada
| | - Mathieu Marek
- Faculty of Life Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada
| | - Andrada Cretu
- Faculty of Life Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada
| | - William Parkinson
- School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada
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