The Acute Effect of Hypericum Perforatum on Short-Term Memory in Healthy Adults

Overview

Rationale Over-the-counter drugs containing hypericum perforatum (H. perforatum), have been argued to improve memory and sustained attention. So far, these claims have not been supported in human studies. However, previous studies used rather high dosages, and little is known about the acute effect of small dosages. Objective We evaluated whether an acute treatment with Remotiv 500 and Remotiv 250 (500 or 250 mg of H. perforatum quantified to either 1 or 0.5 mg of hypericin) improved memory, sustained attention, as well as mood and state anxiety in healthy adults. Method A single dosage, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 82 student participants (33 women). Each participant received placebo in one session and one of two dosages in the other session. Order of the sessions and dosage conditions were randomized between subjects. Participants completed a battery of tasks assessing short-term memory capacity and sustained attention.

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Treatment
    • Masking: Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: February 2, 2018

Interventions

  • Drug: Hypericum perforatum extract
    • 250 or 500 mg Remotiv capsules of hypericum perforatum extract, p.o.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: Hypericum perforatum (Remotiv, 250 mg)
  • Experimental: Hypericum perforatum (Remotiv, 500 mg)

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Go/no-go task
    • Time Frame: one-two hours after drug administration
    • A computerized cognitive task: aimed to measure attention and impulsivity: errors of omission and commission
  • Digit span task
    • Time Frame: one-two hours after drug administration
    • A computerized cognitive task; accuracy of recalling
  • Symmetry span task
    • Time Frame: one-two hours after drug administration
    • A computerized cognitive task; accuracy of responses
  • Operation span task
    • Time Frame: one-two hours after drug administration
    • A computerized cognitive task; accuracy of responses
  • Groton’s Maze task
    • Time Frame: one-two hours after drug administration
    • A computerized task

Secondary Measures

  • DASS-21
    • Time Frame: one-two hours after drug administration
    • A self-report questionnaire; scoring of relevant state anxiety items
  • PANAS
    • Time Frame: one-two hours after drug administration
    • A self-report questionnaire
  • STAI
    • Time Frame: one-two hours after drug administration
    • A self-report questionnaire; scoring of relevant state anxiety items

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • healthy adults 18 to 40 years old. Exclusion Criteria:

  • 1. Demographics: Under 18 years of age or older than 40; pregnant or nursing women; non-fluent Hebrew speakers. 2. Body weight: less than 50 kg and more than 90 kg (to ensure effective drug dosage). 3. Mental health: Diagnosed with any DSM-V disorder (including ADHD, learning disabilities). These DSM-V disorders may be included in the research: sexual dysfunctions, sleeping disorders and mild-moderate anxiety disorders. 4. Any motor disability hampering a participant's ability to perform the experimental task. 5. Consumption of any psychoactive substance within the last 72 hours. 6. Ongoing medical problems or use of any substances (e.g., other prescribed medications) which may interact negatively with any of the three drugs used in the experiment.

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: 40 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Prof. Eldad Yechiam
  • Collaborator
    • Beer Yaakov – Ness Ziona Mental Health Center
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor-Investigator: Prof. Eldad Yechiam, Associate Professor, Behavioral Science – Technion, Israel Institute of Technology
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Mili Bar-Shaked, MD, Principal Investigator, Beer Yaakov – Ness Ziona Mental Health Center
    • Eldad Yechiam, PhD, Study Director, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

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