In this study, investigators used Nutrition 21’s proprietary chromium picolinate found in Core4Life Advanced Memory Formula, a nutritional supplement specifically formulated to improve brain health.
Study participants were asked to learn a list of words presented over several learning trials and, after a delay, were asked to remember the words. Those receiving the chromium picolinate supplement showed a trend for reduced interference from irrelevant words on the memory task (p=0.12). In addition, on another task assessing fine motor control and speed, the subjects receiving chromium picolinate exhibited enhanced motor speed relative to those receiving placebo (p=0.16).
Another component of the study measured brain activity. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were performed while subjects were working on a demanding cognitive task that involved holding in mind and manipulating information. Preliminary results from the fMRI scans of individuals from the chromium picolinate group and from the placebo group showed that the subjects receiving the active supplement exhibited greater activity in left frontal and left parietal cortices, areas of the brain associated with working memory. The subjects receiving placebo showed no such change.
At the completion of the study, chromium to creatinine ratios were significantly elevated in the chromium picolinate group (p=0.008) indicating increased levels of chromium in the blood. The groups did not differ significantly with respect to age (73 versus 69 years), educational level (15.7 versus 15 years), stage and extent of memory impairment (Clinical Dementia Rating sum boxes score, 1 versus 0.85) or level of mood disturbance (Profile of Mood States total score, 18.4 versus 16.9).