%A Hammond,Billy R. %A Miller,L. Stephen %A Bello,Medina O. %A Lindbergh,Cutter A. %A Mewborn,Catherine %A Renzi-Hammond,Lisa M. %D 2017 %J Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience %C %F %G English %K Xanthophylls,Cognition,older adults,Attention,cognitive flexibility %Q %R 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00254 %W %L %M %P %7 %8 2017-August-03 %9 Original Research %+ Dr Lisa M. Renzi-Hammond,Department of Psychology, University of Georgia,Athens, GA, United States,lrenzi@uga.edu %# %! xanthophylls and cognitive function in older adults %* %< %T Effects of Lutein/Zeaxanthin Supplementation on the Cognitive Function of Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Trial %U https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00254 %V 9 %0 JOURNAL ARTICLE %@ 1663-4365 %X Background: High levels of xanthophyll carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) in the central nervous system have been previously correlated with improved cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. In this study, we tested the effects of supplementing L and Z on older men and women with a range of baseline cognitive abilities.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not supplementation with L+Z could improve cognitive function in community-dwelling, older adults.Design: Double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 62 older adults were randomized into groups receiving either 12 mg L+Z or a visually identical placebo. Data from 51 participants (M = 73.7 years) were available for analysis. Retinal L+Z levels (macular pigment optical density, MPOD) were measured psychophysically using heterochromatic flicker photometry as a biomarker of cortical L+Z levels. Cognitive function was measured using the CNS Vital Signs computerized test platform.Results: Participants receiving the active L+Z supplement had statistically significant increases in MPOD (p < 0.03) and improvements in complex attention (p < 0.02) and cognitive flexibility domains (p < 0.04), relative to participants taking the placebo. A trend was also seen for the executive function domain (p = 0.073). In male participants only, supplementation yielded improved composite memory (p = 0.04).Conclusions: Supplementation with L+Z improved cognitive function in community-dwelling, older men and women.