Efficacy and Safety of Crocus sativus L. in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: One Year Single-Blind Randomized, with Parallel Groups, Clinical Trial

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tsolaki, Magda^{a; d; e; *} | Karathanasi, Elina^a | Lazarou, Ioulietta^{a; b; d} | Dovas, Kostas^e | Verykouki, Eleni^d | Karakostas, Anastasios^b | Georgiadis, Kostas^b | Tsolaki, Anthoula^{a; c; d} | Adam, Katerina^b | Kompatsiaris, Ioannis^b | Sinakos, Zacharias^{d; e}

Affiliations: [a] 3rd Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece | [b] Information Technologies Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece | [c] Laboratory of Medical Physics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | [d] Medical School Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece | [e] Greek Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Magda Tsolaki, 3rd Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. Tel.: +306942918933/302310234239; Fax: +30 2313 307332; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: There is evidence to suggest the efficacy of Crocus (saffron) in the management of cognitive decline. This study examined the efficacy of Crocus in patients with amnesic and multi domain MCI (aMCImd). The participants included 17 patients on Crocus and 18 on a waiting list, who were examined with a short neuropsychological battery, MRI 3T, while some patients were examined via 256-channel electroencephalogram (HD-EEG) at baseline and after 12 months. The results showed that patients on Crocus had improved Mini-Mental State Examination scores (p = 0.015), while the control group deteriorated. Also, MRI, EEG, and ERP showed improvement in specific domains. This led us to conclude that Crocus is a good choice for management of aMCImd.

Keywords: Crocus sativus, electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, mild cognitive impairment, saffron

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-160304

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 54, no. 1, pp. 129-133, 2016