This study investigates the cognitive effects of Ārepa, a blackcurrant-based drink, under simulated high-altitude conditions (4,500m normobaric hypoxia for \~180 minutes). Using a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover design, participants will consume either the nootropic blackcurrant-based drink or a taste-matched placebo. Cognitive testing (\~80 minutes) includes Trail-making, Stroop, N-back, Serial 7s/3s, and RVIP tasks. Physiological measures (heart rate, SpO₂, blood) and biomarkers (MAO-B, BDNF, hsCRP, S100B, Prolactin, C3G, Sarmentosin) will be assessed. Scales will evaluate mood, wellbeing, and perceived effects. The aim is to determine if the nootropic drink can support cognitive function in hypoxic environments.
Cognitive functioning can be influenced by varying factors including age, education, fatigue and environmental conditions. It is well established that stress, including hypoxia, sleep deprivation, and mental fatigue, alters brain energetics therefore resulting in a decline of cognitive function. Any physical or psychological stressor that disrupts homeostasis results in a stress response. Altitude, often associated with sports, recreational activities and holidaying, refers to environments where the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) is reduced relative to sea level. The effects of high altitude on humans are mostly the consequences of reduced pO2 in the atmosphere and can result in fatigue, dizziness and debilitating cognitive consequences to unacclimatised individuals. These effects can significantly impair cognitive and physical performance at high elevations. In this context, interests in prophylactic use of dietary interventions to mitigate the effects of oxygen deprivation has increased in recent years. Interventions utilising a number of plant derived phytochemicals have demonstrated some protective efficacy against these physiological insults and may be capable of attenuating cognitive function and mood under hypoxic stress. However, there is limited research available on polyphenol supplementation to support cognition at high altitudes. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to explore the possibility of the nootropic drink and how effective it is in reducing cognitive impairment of healthy males at a simulated high altitude of 4,500m. Participants will attend the laboratory on four occasions over a 2-3-week period. The first two visits will involve a pre-screening assessment and a familiarisation session with the experimental procedures and cognitive tasks. The subsequent two visits will serve as the experimental trials, during which participants will be exposed to a normobaric hypoxic environment simulating an altitude of 4,500 meters. This condition is achieved by maintaining sea-level barometric pressure with a reduced inspired oxygen fraction (FiO₂ \~11.3%, equivalent to a PiO₂ of approximately 80.9 mmHg). Acute exposure to high altitudes (3,000-4,500 m) for durations as short as 45 to 120 minutes has been shown to impair cognitive function, increase mood disturbances, reduce task accuracy, and slow reaction times. Based on prior research the duration of hypoxic exposure in this study will be approximately 180 minutes, allowing sufficient time for potential cognitive changes to occur. Each experimental trial will follow a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover design. Participants will consume 100 mL of either an anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant drink (containing 200 mg of bioactive compounds) or a taste- and appearance-matched placebo (0 mg). A 45-minute rest period will follow to allow for absorption. Cognitive testing will span approximately 80 minutes and will begin 75 minutes into the hypoxic exposure. This includes three short tasks (approximately 10 minutes in total) administered before and after a 60-minute cognitive demand battery. The cognitive tasks will assess executive function, working memory, attention, and cognitive load. Physiological measures (e.g., heart rate, SpO₂), blood-based biomarkers (e.g., MAO-B, BDNF, hsCRP, S100B, prolactin, C3G, sarmentosin), and self-reported scales assessing mood, anxiety, perceived cognitive workload, and subjective effects will also be collected throughout the trial.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
27
Nootropic drink containing Anthrocyanins, L-theanie and Enzogenol
Taste- and appearance-matched placebo beverage without active ingredients.
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds, United Kingdom
Executive Function (Trail Making Task)
Change from baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation) in completion time during acute high-altitude exposure, assessed at \~1 hour and \~2 hours post exposure following a cognitive demand battery. Measures of correct response and reaction time in seconds.
Time frame: Baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation), approximately 1 hour (±10 minutes) after exposure, and 2 hours (±10 minutes) after exposure.
Working Memory (N-back)
Change from baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation) in accuracy (percent correct responses) and mean reaction time (milliseconds) on the N-back task during acute high-altitude exposure, assessed at \~1 hour and \~2 hours post exposure following a cognitive demand battery. Measures are response time in milliseconds and percentage of correct response.
Time frame: Baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation), approximately 1 hour (±10 minutes) after exposure, and 2 hours (±10 minutes) after exposure.
Attention (RVIP) as part of the Cognitive Demand Battery
Change from baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation) in accuracy (percent correct) and mean reaction time (milliseconds) on the RVIP task, administered as part of a repeated cognitive demand battery beginning \~1 hr 20 min into acute high-altitude exposure and repeated 6 times within 1 hour.
Time frame: Baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation), and 6 repeated assessments during the cognitive demand battery conducted between 1 hr 20 min and 2 hr 20 min after onset of acute high-altitude exposure.
Executive Function (Stroop, colour word task)
Change from baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation) in number of correct responses and mean reaction time during acute high-altitude exposure, assessed at \~1 hour and \~2 hours post exposure following a cognitive demand battery. Measures are number of correct responses and response time in seconds.
Time frame: Baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation), approximately 1 hour (±10 minutes) after exposure, and 2 hours (±10 minutes) after exposure.
Working Memory (Serial 7s)
Change from baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation) in number of correct subtractions on the Serial 7s task, administered as part of a repeated cognitive demand battery beginning \~1 hr 20 min into acute high-altitude exposure and repeated 6 times within 1 hour. Measure is Number of correct responses.
Time frame: Baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation), and 6 repeated assessments during the cognitive demand battery conducted between 1 hr 20 min and 2 hr 20 min after onset of acute high-altitude exposure.
Working Memory (Serial 3s)
Change from baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation) in number of correct subtractions on the Serial 3s task, administered as part of a repeated cognitive demand battery beginning \~1 hr 20 min into acute high-altitude exposure and repeated 6 times within 1 hour. Units of measure is the number of correct responses.
Time frame: Baseline (sea level, pre-supplementation), and 6 repeated assessments during the cognitive demand battery conducted between 1 hr 20 min and 2 hr 20 min after onset of acute high-altitude exposure.
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