{
  "abstract": "Introduction: Age-related cognitive decline is an increasing concern in older adults. While blackcurrants ( Ribes nigrum ) have shown promise in improving cognitive outcomes in younger adults, their efficacy in supporting cognitive function in older adults is largely unexplored.\n\nMethods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded crossover study of healthy older adults (62 ± 1 years), 26 of the 30 participants enrolled completed the study per protocol. Participants consumed either a placebo or a flavonoid-rich blackcurrant formula (BCF, 7.8 mg anthocyanins/kg body weight freeze-dried blackcurrant, 200 mg L-theanine, and 100 mg pine bark extract) in a beverage format daily for 4 weeks, with interventions separated by a two-week washout period. For each intervention, cognitive and mood outcomes were assessed following a single dose (acute) and after 4 weeks’ supplementation. Platelet MAO-B activity, circulating neurotransmitter concentrations, and anthocyanin, L-theanine and sarmentosin bioavailability were measured from venous blood samples drawn at baseline, 1 h, 2.4 h and 4 wk after intervention supplementation.\n\nResults: A significant reduction in Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP) false alarms ( p = 0.022) and a strong trend in reduced mental fatigue ( p = 0.046, q = 0.067) were measured following 4 weeks of BCF supplementation. Reduction in biomarkers of MAO activity were measured following acute supplementation with BCF, but not placebo, with significant treatment × time interactions ( q < 0.01) for platelet MAO-B activity, plasma 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine concentrations. These changes corresponded with significant reductions ( q < 0.05) in circulating neurotransmitter metabolites xanthurenic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol and vanillylmandelic acid.\n\nConclusion: Findings from this study indicate that 4 weeks of BCF supplementation sustained attention in healthy older adults, extending evidence for BCF-related cognitive benefits across both younger and older populations.\n\nClinical Trial Registration: https://anzctr.org.au/ , identifier: ACTRN12621001590853.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Health and Consumer Sciences Group, New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited, Palmerston North Campus , ,",
    "Biological Chemistry and Bioactives Group, New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited, Ruakura Campus , ,",
    "Health and Consumer Sciences Group, New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited, Mount Albert Campus , ,",
    "School of Psychology, University of Northumbria , ,"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Dominic Lomiwes"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Catrin S. Günther"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Alexander P. Kanon"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Kim Lo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Andrew Scholey"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Nayer Ngametua"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Tania M. Trower"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Edward G. Walker"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Dwayne A. Jensen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Janine M. Cooney"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5f5abe4f6q2hj.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fphar.2026.1896655",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13661542/?tool=EBI",
  "id": "5f5abe4f6q2hj",
  "issns": [
    "1663-9812"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13661542",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2704|Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214994004",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13661542/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13661542",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-30",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5f5abe4f6q2hj.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:21Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13661542",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13661542"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:06Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fphar.2026.1896655",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1896655/full"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "issn:1663-9812",
      "subfield": "pharmacology-toxicology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Four-week supplementation with a blackcurrant formulation enhances cognitive performance, reduces mental fatigue and modulates peripheral monoamine metabolism in older adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study",
  "title_text": "Four-week supplementation with a blackcurrant formulation enhances cognitive performance, reduces mental fatigue and modulates peripheral monoamine metabolism in older adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:06Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5f5abe4f6q2hj",
  "venue": "Frontiers in pharmacology",
  "versions": []
}