Neurocognitive effects of multivitamin supplementation on the steady state visually evoked potential (SSVEP) measure of brain activity in elderly women

We as survivors will need better cognition in order to direct our neurogenesis and neuroplasticity efforts. Get your researcher involved in testing this in survivors. You do want to get Smarter After Stroke, don't you? I couldn't resist Peter.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S003193841200282X

Abstract

Objective

Growing evidence suggests that dietary supplementation with selected micronutrients and nutraceuticals may have the potential to improve cognition in older adults. Fewer studies have investigated the effects of these substances on brain activity.

Methods

This study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, conducted to explore the effects of 16 weeks supplementation with a combined multivitamin, mineral and herbal formula on the steady state visually evoked potential (SSVEP) measure of brain electrical activity. Participants were elderly women aged between 64 and 79 years, with subjective memory complaints. Baseline and post-treatment SSVEP data was obtained for 22 participants in the multivitamin group and 19 in the placebo group. A spatial working memory delayed response task (DRT) was performed during the recording of the SSVEP.

Results

The results revealed that when compared to placebo, multivitamin supplementation delayed SSVEP latency during retrieval, interpreted as an increase in inhibitory neural processes. Behavioural performance on the DRT was not improved by the multivitamin, however improved performance accuracy was associated with increased midline central SSVEP latency. There were no multivitamin-related effects on SSVEP amplitude.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that in the elderly, multivitamin supplementation may enhance neural efficiency during memory retrieval.

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Highlights

► The SSVEP was examined before and after 16 weeks multivitamin or placebo treatment. ► The multivitamin increased SSVEP latency during spatial working memory performance. ► Increased latency was interpreted as an increase in inhibitory neural processes. ► Multivitamin supplementation may influence cognition by enhancing neural efficiency.