Early intervention using dietary supplements may be effective in alleviating cognitive impairment among individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study investigated the efficacy and safety of Lactobacillus plantarum C29-fermented soybean (DW2009) as a nutritional supplement for cognitive enhancement. One hundred individuals with MCI were randomly assigned to take DW2009 (800 mg/day, n = 50) or placebo (800 mg/day, n = 50) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was change in the composite score of cognitive functions related to memory and attention, measured by computerized neurocognitive function tests. Associations between changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and cognitive performance for each treatment group were evaluated. Compared to the placebo group, the DW2009 group showed greater improvements in the combined cognitive functions (z = 2.36, p for interaction = 0.02), especially in the attention domain (z = 2.34, p for interaction = 0.02). Cognitive improvement was associated with increased serum BDNF levels after consumption of DW2009 (t = 2.83, p = 0.007). The results of this clinical trial suggest that DW2009 can be safely administered to enhance cognitive function in individuals with MCI. Increased serum BDNF levels after administering DW2009 may provide preliminary insight into the underlying effects of cognitive improvement, which suggests the importance of the gut-brain axis in ameliorating cognitive deficits in MCI.

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The intensities of vibrational resonance hyper-Raman transitions are developed in the usual framework of vibronic theory. In analogy to linear Raman scattering, the leading terms of RHR scattering, A, B, and C, are found when the electronic transitions moments, appearing in the transition hyperpolarizability, are expanded to first order in nuclear coordinate dependence. Noncentrosymmetric molecules are predicted to be the strongest nonlinear scatterers and derive activity from the RHR A term. In contrast to the vibronic analysis of linear Raman scattering, both one and two-photon allowed transitions contribute to RHR scattering cross section at the same order of vibronic theory (B term) for centrosymmetric molecules. RHR scattering spectra of gas phase CH3I, NH3, and CS2 illustrate A- and B-term RHR activity.

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