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 a...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<sup>®</sup> 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<sup>®</sup> 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<sup>®</sup> 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 calmness 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<sup>®</sup> in parietal, occipital and temporal brain regions. In comparison to placebo, Zembrin<sup>®</sup> induced frequency changes in the brain, which have been related to enhanced attention and memory. These results may represent a positive action of Zembrin<sup>®</sup> on cognitive and emotional processes in the brain.展开更多
Anatomical functionality is a major topic in brain research. Numerous investigations have shown task dependent activation of focal brain areas, with most information based on time-averaged data due to methodological l...Anatomical functionality is a major topic in brain research. Numerous investigations have shown task dependent activation of focal brain areas, with most information based on time-averaged data due to methodological limitations. Ultra-fast quantitative EEG, especially in the newly developed combination with eye tracking (EnkephaloVision), is very suitable to follow activities of local electric circuits. This investigation in 57 subjects revealed transient focal frequency changes reaching up to more than 6000% of global median spectra power during cognitive and emotional challenges at frontal electrode positions. Recording epochs of 364 ms uncovered coherences with respect to focal brain areas and single frequencies, which are typically lost during averaged calculations. When averaging data over a whole scene, a least demanding challenge like viewing a boring animal video only activated the lateral frontal lobe, whereas solving brain-teasers and performance of mathematical calculations led to delta (modulated by acetylcholine) and theta (modulated by norepinephrine) increases in all brain regions in a statistically significant manner. In addition to delta and theta increases, performance of the Stroop test led to beta2 (related to GABA-ergic transmission) increases in the temporal lobe. The higher the mental demand the more brain regions were involved during 10 different challenges. There was no challenge which did not activate the lateral frontal brain in terms of increases of delta and theta spectral power. The results are in line with the view that the lateral frontal lobe is involved primarily during cognitive and emotional behavior related to activity changes of acetylcholine and norepinephrine.展开更多
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 proprietar...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 centro- occipital 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 documented. 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.展开更多
Zynamite®, a special extract from Mangifera indica, exerted stimulatory properties on the central nervous system during a pilot study. The question arose if Zynamite®?would have a similar action on t...Zynamite®, a special extract from Mangifera indica, exerted stimulatory properties on the central nervous system during a pilot study. The question arose if Zynamite®?would have a similar action on the central nervous system as caffeine. Two well established animal models were used: a) quantitation of spectral power of field potentials in the freely moving rat and b) induction of long term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus slice preparation ex vivo after one week of daily administration. In the presence of 25 mg/kg of Zynamite®, predominantly alpha2 and beta1 spectral frequencies were attenuated in all brain areas during the first hour after administration. Exactly this pattern of frequency changes had been observed in earlier studies with i.p. administration of caffeine. Discriminant analysis confirmed this similarity by projection of Zynamite®?and 0.5 mg/kg caffeine into close neighborhood and showing identical colours, which points to a similar mechanism of action in this analysis. In addition, when Zynamite®?was combined with very low doses of caffeine synergistic effects were observed. Since alpha2 waves are under the control of dopamine, activation of this neurotransmitter system might be responsible for the stimulating property of Zynamite®. These results are corroborated by the results from the ex vivo study using the hippocampus slice in vitro to follow changes in excitability in the presence of 0.5 mg/kg of caffeine, 25 mg/kg of Zynamite®?or their combination in comparison to Placebo after daily administration for one week. Both caffeine and Zynamite®?increased LTP. LTP relates to space and time dependent memory. From these studies it is evident that both caffeine and Zynamite®?act in similar ways on brain electrical activity, and have potential to improve cognitive function. Bioactive compounds of Zynamite®?clearly pass the blood brain barrier to act on the central nervous system. Due to the demonstrated similarity of action, Zynamite®?has potential as a CNS-activating nutraceutical that could be used to replace caffeine.展开更多
文摘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<sup>®</sup> 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<sup>®</sup> 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<sup>®</sup> 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 calmness 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<sup>®</sup> in parietal, occipital and temporal brain regions. In comparison to placebo, Zembrin<sup>®</sup> induced frequency changes in the brain, which have been related to enhanced attention and memory. These results may represent a positive action of Zembrin<sup>®</sup> on cognitive and emotional processes in the brain.
文摘Anatomical functionality is a major topic in brain research. Numerous investigations have shown task dependent activation of focal brain areas, with most information based on time-averaged data due to methodological limitations. Ultra-fast quantitative EEG, especially in the newly developed combination with eye tracking (EnkephaloVision), is very suitable to follow activities of local electric circuits. This investigation in 57 subjects revealed transient focal frequency changes reaching up to more than 6000% of global median spectra power during cognitive and emotional challenges at frontal electrode positions. Recording epochs of 364 ms uncovered coherences with respect to focal brain areas and single frequencies, which are typically lost during averaged calculations. When averaging data over a whole scene, a least demanding challenge like viewing a boring animal video only activated the lateral frontal lobe, whereas solving brain-teasers and performance of mathematical calculations led to delta (modulated by acetylcholine) and theta (modulated by norepinephrine) increases in all brain regions in a statistically significant manner. In addition to delta and theta increases, performance of the Stroop test led to beta2 (related to GABA-ergic transmission) increases in the temporal lobe. The higher the mental demand the more brain regions were involved during 10 different challenges. There was no challenge which did not activate the lateral frontal brain in terms of increases of delta and theta spectral power. The results are in line with the view that the lateral frontal lobe is involved primarily during cognitive and emotional behavior related to activity changes of acetylcholine and norepinephrine.
文摘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 centro- occipital 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 documented. 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.
文摘Zynamite®, a special extract from Mangifera indica, exerted stimulatory properties on the central nervous system during a pilot study. The question arose if Zynamite®?would have a similar action on the central nervous system as caffeine. Two well established animal models were used: a) quantitation of spectral power of field potentials in the freely moving rat and b) induction of long term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus slice preparation ex vivo after one week of daily administration. In the presence of 25 mg/kg of Zynamite®, predominantly alpha2 and beta1 spectral frequencies were attenuated in all brain areas during the first hour after administration. Exactly this pattern of frequency changes had been observed in earlier studies with i.p. administration of caffeine. Discriminant analysis confirmed this similarity by projection of Zynamite®?and 0.5 mg/kg caffeine into close neighborhood and showing identical colours, which points to a similar mechanism of action in this analysis. In addition, when Zynamite®?was combined with very low doses of caffeine synergistic effects were observed. Since alpha2 waves are under the control of dopamine, activation of this neurotransmitter system might be responsible for the stimulating property of Zynamite®. These results are corroborated by the results from the ex vivo study using the hippocampus slice in vitro to follow changes in excitability in the presence of 0.5 mg/kg of caffeine, 25 mg/kg of Zynamite®?or their combination in comparison to Placebo after daily administration for one week. Both caffeine and Zynamite®?increased LTP. LTP relates to space and time dependent memory. From these studies it is evident that both caffeine and Zynamite®?act in similar ways on brain electrical activity, and have potential to improve cognitive function. Bioactive compounds of Zynamite®?clearly pass the blood brain barrier to act on the central nervous system. Due to the demonstrated similarity of action, Zynamite®?has potential as a CNS-activating nutraceutical that could be used to replace caffeine.
