Aronia melanocarpa extract supplementation affects brain vascular function and cognitive performance: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in older adults with overweight or obesity.

AME supplementation did not affect cerebral blood flow in predefined brain regions of interest.

• CBF was assessed using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI)
• Study included 30 healthy older adults (age: 65 ± 6 years) with overweight or obesity (BMI: 28.3 ± 2.7 kg/m2)
• The intervention was 40 mg anthocyanins/day for 6 weeks in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design
• Predefined brain regions showed no significant change in CBF with AME compared to placebo

Regional CBF decreased in one cluster located in the right insular cortex following AME supplementation.

• Treatment effect was 4.4 ± 3.6 mL/100 g/min (p = 0.004) compared to placebo
• This was identified through whole-brain analysis rather than predefined regions of interest
• The authors noted the relevance of this finding remains unclear
• This was the only brain region showing a significant change in CBF

AME supplementation improved executive function as measured by the spatial working memory test.

• Between errors and total errors were both reduced by 20%
• Reduction was -3 errors (95% CI: -5 to -1; p = 0.006)
• Cognitive performance was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)
• This improvement was specific to the executive function domain

AME supplementation did not affect memory or psychomotor speed domains of cognitive performance.

• Cognitive performance was assessed using CANTAB across multiple domains
• Memory performance was unchanged following 6 weeks of AME supplementation
• Psychomotor speed was also unchanged following AME supplementation
• Only the spatial working memory test (executive function domain) showed significant improvement

Cerebral perfusion measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasound was not affected by AME supplementation.

• Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used as an additional measure of cerebral perfusion
• No significant changes were observed compared to placebo
• This measure was used alongside ASL-MRI to assess brain vascular function
• Participants were healthy older adults with overweight or obesity at increased risk of cognitive impairment

Peripheral vascular function was not affected by AME supplementation.

• Peripheral vascular function was assessed through endothelial function measurements
• Retinal microvascular caliber measurements were also performed
• Neither measure showed significant changes following 6 weeks of AME supplementation compared to placebo
• The dose was 40 mg anthocyanins/day delivered as Aronia melanocarpa extract