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THE EFFECT OF ASTAXANTHIN ON THE PREVENTION OF COGNITIVE DECREMENTS FOLLOWING A MENTAL FATIGUE PROTOCOL

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Astaxanthin (AX) is a carotenoid found in marine species and is a popular dietary supplement due to its unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. It appears that AX may preserve aspects of cognition during periods of cerebral stress (such as cognitive fatigue or in the development of neurodegeneration), provided AX’s ability to support and maintain mitochondria function, specifically within the brain. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effect AX has on markers of cognitive performance following a mental fatiguing protocol in recreationally active females. METHODS: Participants will include 30 recreationally active females (18-39 years) and will utilize a double-blinded, between-design, with participants reporting to the laboratory on four separate occasions. All trials will consist of a battery of baseline and post-mental fatigue cognitive assessments (psychomotor vigilance test (PVT), task switching, incongruent flanker). Additionally, either a battery of mentally fatiguing tasks (color multi-source interference task (CMSIT), Rapid visual information processing task (RVIP), time load dual back task (TLDB)), or a time-matched control will be utilized in between pre and post-testing. Following trial 2, participants will be randomly assigned to ingest either AX (12 mg/day-1) or a matched placebo for 6-weeks prior to reporting back to the laboratory for repeat post-testing. ANTICIPATED RESULTS: It is hypothesized AX will mitigate decrements to cognitive performance following mental fatigue in recreationally active females. Funding: This study is funded by AstaReal USA.

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