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The effect of caffeine and choline on short term memory
Author(s) -
Nagrecha Natasha,
Giannetti Vincent,
WittEnderby Paula,
McConaha Jamie,
Patel Amit,
Johnson David
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.797.3
This study sought to determine whether caffeine combined with choline could improve short‐term memory in healthy adults. Caffeine, enhances the release of acetylcholine (ACh), and improves short‐term memory. Choline, the precursor of ACh may also improve memory performance. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of choline alone and in combination with several concentrations of caffeine, on short‐term visual and verbal memory and attention. Combinations of caffeine and choline included choline 2 gm alone and in combination with caffeine 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg and placebo. One hundred subjects were tested. Tests from the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning battery were utilized including: Picture Memory, Story Memory, Verbal Memory, Design Memory, Fingers Window and Number Letter. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05), in the screening memory index, visual memory index and attention/concentration index between choline 2 gm + 25 mg caffeine group and choline 2 gm + 50 mg caffeine group with the former group showing higher scores. The choline 2 gm + 50 mg caffeine group scored significantly lower than the choline 2 gm + 25 mg caffeine group, choline 2 gm + 100 mg caffeine group and the placebo group for the General Memory Index(p<0.05). The data suggest that choline 2 gm + 25 mg caffeine may enhance short term memory whereas choline 2 gm + 50 mg caffeine may impair it.