Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

126
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
126

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A standardized Ferula supplement (Menotrack) to prevent symptoms in post-menopause: a 3-month supplement registry.

Panminerva medica·2026
Same author

The Role of Worry and Emotional Intelligence in Depression in a Non-Clinical and Subclinical Sample.

European journal of investigation in health, psychology and education·2026
Same author

Examining the Mediation Role of Emotion Regulation and Hope in the Impact of COVID-19 on Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health.

International journal of psychology : Journal international de psychologie·2026
Same author

Sarcopenia: effects of Robuvit® supplementation on loss of muscular mass and strength.

Minerva medica·2026
Same author

Unveiling the Dark: Exploring the Nomological Consistency of the Short Dark Triad and Dirty Dozen Scales.

Europe's journal of psychology·2026
Same author

Improvement in venous ulcer closure and healing with Centellicum®.

Minerva surgery·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2025

A Preclinical Model to Assess Brain Recovery After Acute Stroke in Rats
10:15

A Preclinical Model to Assess Brain Recovery After Acute Stroke in Rats

Published on: November 6, 2019

8.3K

Pycnogenol® improves cognitive function in post-stroke patients: a 6 month-study.

Gianni Belcaro1, Mark Dugall2, Morio Hosoi2

  • 1IRVINE3 Labs, Chieti-Pescara University, Chieti, Italy - cardres@abol.it.

Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences
|February 1, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Pycnogenol® supplementation in post-stroke patients improved cognitive functions (COFU) and recovery. This pilot study found the supplement safe and effective, potentially reducing brain edema and mini-accidents.

More Related Videos

Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
08:54

Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke

Published on: June 6, 2025

253
Dual-Task Stroop Paradigm for Detecting Cognitive Deficits in High-Functioning Stroke Patients
07:42

Dual-Task Stroop Paradigm for Detecting Cognitive Deficits in High-Functioning Stroke Patients

Published on: December 16, 2022

3.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 4, 2025

A Preclinical Model to Assess Brain Recovery After Acute Stroke in Rats
10:15

A Preclinical Model to Assess Brain Recovery After Acute Stroke in Rats

Published on: November 6, 2019

8.3K
Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
08:54

Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke

Published on: June 6, 2025

253
Dual-Task Stroop Paradigm for Detecting Cognitive Deficits in High-Functioning Stroke Patients
07:42

Dual-Task Stroop Paradigm for Detecting Cognitive Deficits in High-Functioning Stroke Patients

Published on: December 16, 2022

3.0K

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Post-stroke cognitive impairment is a significant challenge.
  • Early intervention may improve patient outcomes.
  • Pycnogenol® is a plant extract with antioxidant properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effects of Pycnogenol® supplementation on cognitive functions in post-stroke patients.
  • To assess the safety and tolerability of Pycnogenol® in this population.
  • To explore potential mechanisms, such as reduction of brain edema and free radicals.

Main Methods:

  • A 6-month pilot study involving 38 post-stroke patients.
  • Patients received either standard management (SM) or SM plus 150 mg of Pycnogenol® daily.
  • Cognitive functions (COFU), mini-accidents, psychotic episodes, and plasma free radicals were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Pycnogenol® supplementation significantly improved main COFU parameters compared to controls (P<0.05).
  • Supplemented patients experienced fewer mini-accidents, psychotic episodes, and distress.
  • Reduced plasma free radicals and a better overall recovery were observed in the Pycnogenol® group.

Conclusions:

  • Pycnogenol® supplementation appears to enhance recovery and cognitive function normalization in post-stroke patients.
  • It is a safe and manageable adjuvant therapy that may reduce local brain edema.
  • Further research with larger cohorts and longer follow-up is warranted to confirm these findings.