Newcastle University ePrints -eprint.ncl.ac.uk Watson AW, Haskell-Ramsay CF, Kennedy DO, Cooney JM, Trower T, Scheepens A. Acute supplementation with blackcurrant extracts modulates cognitive functioning and inhibits monoamine oxidase-B in healthy young adults. Abstract 42Background: Berry fruit have been shown to convey a number of benefits in animal models; 43including improvements in cognitive performance, slowing of cognitive decline and 44 neuroprotection. These findings, along with epidemiological evidence and data showing 45 modulation of factors related to brain function, suggest a potential role for berry 46 polyphenols in improving cognitive performance. 47Objective: The current study assessed the effects of two blackcurrant extracts on cognitive 48 outcomes, mood, blood glucose profile and peripheral monoamine levels. Anthocyanin 49 bioavailability was also assessed. 50 Design: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted in 51 36 healthy young participants (18-35y). Following a 10 minute baseline assessment, 52 participants consumed sugar, flavour and colour matched drinks containing no polyphenols 53 (control) or 525 +/-5mg of polyphenols per 60kg body weight from either an anthocyanin 54 enriched powdered blackcurrant extract (Delcyan TM ) or cold pressed blackcurrant juice 55 (cultivar Blackadder) in counterbalanced order on separate days. A 70-minute computerised 56cognitive assessment (COMPASS) designed to be attentionally demanding and mentally 57fatiguing was then completed following a 60-minute resting absorption period. Blood 58 platelet monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), plasma anthocyanin levels, plasma prolactin and 59 plasma monoamines and associated metabolites were also investigated in a subsection of 60 the cohort at 2.5 hours post-consumption. 61Results: When compared to control, both blackcurrant extracts improved attention task 62performance. The juiced extract reduced reaction times during the digit vigilance task, 63whereas the powdered extract increased accuracy during a rapid visual information 64 processing task. Following the juiced Blackadder extract, platelet MAO-B was inhibited by 65 96%, dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) was reduced and normetadrenalin was increased in 66 blood plasma, and a rapid decline in blood glucose levels was significantly attenuated, when 67 compared to control. 68Conclusion: This is the first illustration of a cognitive benefit of acute blackcurrant 69 supplementation in healthy young humans and the first description of a clinically significant 70 inhibition of MAO-B and MAO-A using a commonly consumed fruit. These data also illustrate 71 that compounds other than anthocyanins are important to observe in vivo MAO inhibition 72and that the degree of processing and cultivar of blackcurrant fruit used substantially alters 73 the neuroendocrinological and cognitive benefits conveyed. 74 75

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Dietary patterns are widely recognised as contributors to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Endothelial function, the elastic properties of large arteries and the magnitude and timing of wave reflections are important determinants of cardiovascular performance. Several epidemiological studies suggest that the regular consumption of foods and beverages rich in flavonoids is associated with a reduction in the risk of several pathological conditions ranging from hypertension to coronary heart disease, stroke and dementia. The impairment of endothelial function is directly related to ageing and an association between decreased cerebral perfusion and dementia has been shown to exist. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) must be maintained to ensure a constant delivery of oxygen and glucose as well as the removal of waste products. Increasing blood flow is one potential way for improving brain function and the prospect for increasing CBF with dietary polyphenols is extremely promising. The major polyphenols shown to have some of these effects in humans are primarily from cocoa, wine, grape seed, berries, tea, tomatoes (polyphenolics and nonpolyphenolics), soy and pomegranate. There has been a significant paradigm shift in polyphenol research during the last decade. This review summarises our current knowledge in this area and points the way for the development of new types of functional foods targeted to brain health through improving vascular health.

A substantial and growing consumer demand exists for plant-based functional foods that improve general health and wellbeing. Amongst consumed phytochemicals, the polyphenolic compounds tend to be the most bioactive.