03.26.24
A new study found that a palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) ingredient marketed by Gencor as Levagen+ was associated with improvements in memory, learning, and global cognitive function tests in a group of 39 college students. These improvements corresponded with increases in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a compound that promotes the development of neurons and is correlated with improvements in cognitive function. The findings were published in Nutrients.
PEA is an endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator produced by the body in response to injury or stress, and can also be found in lipid extracts of certain foods and plants. Pre-clinical studies suggest the potential role of PEA in neurobehavioral function, based on its immune- and inflammatory-modulating properties.
According to the authors, this study is the first of its kind to assess PEA for potential cognitive function outcomes in a healthy population currently enrolled in higher education.
Study Details
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial investigated the effects of a 6-week, 700 mg/day course of Levagen+ or a placebo in male and female participants.
Compared to placebo, treatment groups experienced a significant increase in serum BDNF levels, along with improvements in memory in a gold-standard cognitive function assessment through better first success (p = 0.142, d = 0.54) and fewer errors (p = 0.0287, d = -0.47) on the paired associates learning test.
“This is the first study to report a direct beneficial effect of Levagen+ supplementation on memory improvement as well as corresponding increases in circulating neurotrophic marker levels,” said R.V. Venkatesh, co-founder and managing director at Gencor. “Levagen+ holds great promise as an innovative and practical intervention for cognitive health enhancement and helps address this growing segment for clinically proven, natural ingredients to support healthy aging and cognitive function.”
“Cognitive function is an area of great importance to society from the perspective of healthy aging. This is an exciting area of research, but there are relatively few clinical studies examining the efficacy of supplements on cognitive function, particularly in young adults This trial gives us interesting insights into the mechanisms by which supplements containing innovative bioactive ingredients such as Levagen+ may bring about their effects on cognition,” said M. Gulrez Zariwala, corresponding author and director of the center for nutraceuticals at University of Westminster.
PEA is an endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator produced by the body in response to injury or stress, and can also be found in lipid extracts of certain foods and plants. Pre-clinical studies suggest the potential role of PEA in neurobehavioral function, based on its immune- and inflammatory-modulating properties.
According to the authors, this study is the first of its kind to assess PEA for potential cognitive function outcomes in a healthy population currently enrolled in higher education.
Study Details
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial investigated the effects of a 6-week, 700 mg/day course of Levagen+ or a placebo in male and female participants.
Compared to placebo, treatment groups experienced a significant increase in serum BDNF levels, along with improvements in memory in a gold-standard cognitive function assessment through better first success (p = 0.142, d = 0.54) and fewer errors (p = 0.0287, d = -0.47) on the paired associates learning test.
“This is the first study to report a direct beneficial effect of Levagen+ supplementation on memory improvement as well as corresponding increases in circulating neurotrophic marker levels,” said R.V. Venkatesh, co-founder and managing director at Gencor. “Levagen+ holds great promise as an innovative and practical intervention for cognitive health enhancement and helps address this growing segment for clinically proven, natural ingredients to support healthy aging and cognitive function.”
“Cognitive function is an area of great importance to society from the perspective of healthy aging. This is an exciting area of research, but there are relatively few clinical studies examining the efficacy of supplements on cognitive function, particularly in young adults This trial gives us interesting insights into the mechanisms by which supplements containing innovative bioactive ingredients such as Levagen+ may bring about their effects on cognition,” said M. Gulrez Zariwala, corresponding author and director of the center for nutraceuticals at University of Westminster.
