Replace Psychometric Inferences with  Direct Brain Measurements: LORETA  Reflects Traditional Cerebral Loci for  Neuropsychological Tests

2016

The pharmaco-dynamic action of plant-derived drugs still remains a big challenge in the field of pharmacology. This applies especially for the discovering of the possible mechanism of action. With respect to the brain, surrogate parameters may be very helpful. Non-invasive pharmaco-EEG has been proven to provide valid information on drug effects in general. Fast dynamic EEG recording with epoch length of 364 ms has now been achieved in combination with Eye-Tracking in order to elucidate single scenes during cognitive and emotional challenges (EnkephaloVision). The present investigation deals with the psychophysiological characterization of the effect of a plant-derived preparation marketed in Germany under the name of PASCOFLAIR® containing 425 mg of passionflower extract in subjects suffering from examination anxiety. Forty healthy volunteer subjects (17 men and 23 woman), with ages varying between 18 and 40 years (26 ± 6.726 for men and 25 ± 5.397 for women) were included into the study when having a score higher than 60 in the PAF (Prüfung-sangstfragebogen). Spectral power analysis of pre-drug data with respect to beta waves revealed a significant correlation to the score of the PAF. Increases of delta, theta and beta waves as induced by 4 cognitive and 4 emotional challenges were attenuated in the presence of 2 tablets of PASCOFLAIR® already 45 minutes after intake in a statistically significant manner in comparison to placebo. Regarding attenuation of beta1 and beta2 spectral power, effects on glutamatergic and GABAergic 425neurotransmission, respectively, can be suspected according to our knowledge of frequency-transmitter relations. Accordingly, this attenuation must be interpreted as ability to counteract examination induced stress symptoms. Results confirm and extend earlier experimental data showing a calming action of PASCOFLAIR®.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proof of Effectiveness of PASCOFLAIR&#174; in Subjects Suffering from Examination Anxiety Using Quantitative EEG in Combination with Eye-Tracking (EnkephaloVision). A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled, 2-Armed, Phase IV Study in Parallel Design

Dimpfel¹,

Dipah²,

2016

“…Interestingly, higher delta and theta power have been related to estimation of mental energy versus tiredness, where increases indicated higher mental energy [27]. It has been even suggested that psychometric testing could be replaced by direct measurement of quantitative EEG using source density analysis [28]. It is known from the literature that oscillatory brain dynamics in the theta frequency range are functionally related to the retrieval of lexical semantic information [29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychophysiological Effects of Zembrin<sup>®</sup>Using Quantitative EEG Source Density in Combination with Eye-Tracking in 60 Healthy Subjects. A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, 3-Armed Study with Parallel Design

Dimpfel¹,

Gericke²,

et al. 2016

The endemic South African succulent plant Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N.E. Br., family Mesembryathemaceae, is known as kanna in Nama, kougoed in Afrikaans, and sceletium in English. The plant has been used as a tea and as a masticatory for millennia by indigenous San hunter-gatherers and Nama pastoralists for endurance and well-being. It has been reported that the plant "gives strength to their limbs, and takes away pain, and makes their memory strong". The current investigation aimed at the psychophysiological characterization of 25.0 and 50.0 mg of a special extract marketed as Zembrin ® in comparison to placebo using a new methodology called "EnkephaloVision". This combination of EEG Neurocode-Tracking and Eye-Tracking allows for concomitant analysis of time epochs of only 364 ms duration. Spectral EEG analysis during cognitive and emotional challenges revealed statistically significant increases of delta (p < 0.01 during arithmetic calculation and watching a boring animal video) and theta spectral power (p < 0.10 during these same challenges) in the presence of Zembrin ® within the frontal brain. It is these same increases of slow waves in the frontal brain that are described in the literature during performance of mental tests. This indicates a positive effect of Zembrin ® on the electrical activity of the brain during cognitive processing. In addition, alpha1 and alpha2 spectral power in the frontal brain was increased during several challenges including brain teasing, arithmetic calculations and performance of a memory test. From the literature, increases of spectral alpha1 power indicate a greater degree of W. Dimpfel et al. 115calmness and may represent decreased depressive symptoms, while increases in alpha2 waves have been related to memory. Beta2 waves increased during mental performance in the presence of the higher dosage of Zembrin ® in parietal, occipital and temporal brain regions. In comparison to placebo, Zembrin ® induced frequency changes in the brain, which have been related to enhanced attention and memory. These results may represent a positive action of Zembrin ® on cognitive and emotional processes in the brain.

“…However, in the presence of the higher dosage statistically significant increases of alpha1 and alpha2 power were recognized in frontal (F 3 and F 4 ) central (C 3 and C 4 ), temporal (T 4,5,6 ) and occipital brain areas (O 1,2 ). With respect to beta1 power only less prominent increases were seen.…”

Section: Efficacy Of Zembrin ® During Performance Of the Number Connementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Using questionnaires a relationship between mood and EEG spectra was reported [5]. Due to the intimate relationship between psychometric testing and EEG spectral signatures it was even suggested that cognitive testing could be replaced by quantitative EEG measurements [6]. Quantitative EEG measurements in the relaxed state and during performance of cognitive tests are therefore well suited to describe functional changes of brain activity induced by intake of food [7] [8], food supplements [9] or drugs [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Zembrin&reg; on Brain Electrical Activity in 60 Older Subjects after 6 Weeks of Daily Intake. A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, 3-Armed Study in a Parallel Design

Dimpfel¹,

Gericke²,

et al. 2017

WJNS

Zembrin® is a botanical functional food and dietary supplement ingredient sold in the USA, and Canada for enhancing mood, decreasing anxiety and stress and improving cognitive function under stress. It is a proprietary extract of a cultivated selection of Sceletium tortuosum. The present investigation aimed at the measurement of the effect of 25 or 50 mg of Zembrin® in comparison to placebo after daily repetitive intake for 6 weeks. Sixty healthy male (n = 32) and female (n = 28) right-handed subjects between 50 and 80 years old (59.7 ± 5.43 and 56.7 ± 5.88 years, respectively) were recruited. The EEG was recorded bipolarly from 17 surface electrodes (CATEEM®) before and 1 h after intake. Six cognitive tests were performed: d2-test, memory test, calculation performance test, reaction time test, number identifying test and number connection test. Three questionnaires were included: Profile of Mood States, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and a sleep questionnaire. Quantitative EEG revealed increases of delta activity during performance of the d2-test, the number identification and number connection test in the fronto-temporal brain region. Higher theta activity was seen during relaxation and performance of the d2-test after intake of 50 mg of Zembrin®. Statistically conspicuous increases of alpha1 spectral power were seen in the relaxed state. With respect to alpha2 spectral power larger increases were observed in the centrooccipital region. Discriminant analysis revealed a projection of Zembrin® data into the vicinity of the calming preparation Calmvalera tablets and a Ginkgo-Ginseng mixture. Statistically significant improvement during performance of the arithmetic calculation test and number connection test was do- 141cumented. The HAM-A anxiety score revealed a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.03) after six weeks. Zembrin® showed significant activity on three levels of evidence: questionnaires, psychometry and quantitative EEG. The results indicate that in healthy people Zembrin® improves some aspects of cognitive function, decreases anxiety, and may enhance mood.