The effect of black mulberry (Morus nigra) consumption on cognition in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's...

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Neuroscience
• Geriatric Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline.
• Current treatments for AD offer limited efficacy, necessitating exploration of novel therapeutic strategies.
• Natural compounds are being investigated for their potential neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and effects of black mulberry (Morus nigra) concentrate on cognitive functions in individuals with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.
• To assess whether daily black mulberry supplementation can alter the trajectory of cognitive decline in AD patients.
• To determine the impact of black mulberry on depression symptoms in the AD population.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week randomized controlled trial involving 39 participants (aged 65+) diagnosed with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.
• The intervention group (n=20) received 20g of black mulberry concentrate daily.
• The control group (n=19) received no intervention. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog). Depression was screened using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).

Main Results:

• In the control group, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores significantly decreased (p = 0.003) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) scores increased (p = 0.034).
• The intervention group receiving black mulberry concentrate showed no significant change in MMSE or GDS-15 scores.
• Conversely, the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) scores significantly decreased in the black mulberry intervention group (p = 0.002), indicating cognitive improvement, while the control group showed no improvement.

Conclusions:

• Daily supplementation with 20g of black mulberry concentrate for 12 weeks appears feasible and may offer a modest benefit in maintaining cognitive function in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.
• Black mulberry concentrate may help stabilize cognitive decline as measured by ADAS-Cog scores, contrasting with the decline observed in the untreated control group.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the mechanisms underlying the potential cognitive effects of black mulberry in Alzheimer's disease.