A pilot trial of spermidine and memory discrimination

Editorial study summary

Study type

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IIa human pilot trial.

Product relevance

Relevant ingredient evidence from a spermidine-rich plant extract. This was an earlier trial in the SmartAge research programme.

Sample or population

30 cognitively intact adults aged 60–80 years with subjective cognitive decline.

Studied dose

Spermidine-rich plant extract or placebo. The abstract does not report the dose in milligrams.

Duration

3 months.

Finding

The between-group memory contrast was 0.17 (95% CI −0.01 to 0.35), so the interval crossed zero. The study also reported a moderate within-group effect on memory discrimination.

Limitations

The pilot was small. The primary between-group estimate was imprecise and does not establish a memory benefit. The study used a different preparation.

Study quality

The PubMed abstract was reviewed. The pilot was designed to interpret effect sizes. No formal risk-of-bias rating was assigned.

Funding and disclosures

Funding and conflicts were not verified from the approved source material.

The studies discussed here examine ingredients or other formulations. They do not establish results for this DR.MORGAN finished product.

Reference

1. The effect of spermidine on memory performance in older adults at risk for dementia: A randomized controlled trial. Cortex. 2018. DOI 10.1016/j.cortex.2018.09.014. PMID 30388439