The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study measured whether supplementation with chromium picolinate for a 12-week period might affect brain activation under working memory task demands in 13 older adults with early memory decline. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were performed while study participants worked on a challenging cognitive task that involved holding in mind and manipulating visual information while resisting potential distractions.
Results from the fMRI scans showed that subjects receiving chromium picolinate exhibited greater activation in right thalamic, right temporal, right posterior parietal and bilateral frontal regions (p = .005).
At treatment termination, urinary chromium to creatinine ratios were elevated in the chromium picolinate group (p < .0001). There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to age (72 versus 73 years), education (15.8 versus 17.3 years), mood disturbance (11 versus 4.5 Profile of Mood States score), and level of memory impairment (.89 versus .63 Clinical Dementia Rating sum boxes score).