Thiamine Supplements For Memory Events

Clinical Study Title:
Beneficial effects of thiamine on recognition memory and P300 in abstinent cocaine-dependent patients.

Plain English Summary:

A thiamine supplement was compared to a placebo to determine the effects of thiamine on memory related events. Participants were given either the thiamine or the supplement, and then 3 hours later completed a task to measure their memory, while their neuron firing potential was recorded on an electroencephalographic. A week later participants repeated the procedure, only this time ingesting a different pill; i.e. if they took the thiamine in the first trial, this time they took the placebo and vice versa. The results showed that after taking the thiamine supplement, their recognition memory and the amplitude of the potential of the P300 impulse was higher. This suggests that thiamine does have an effect on the memory system of the brain.

Authors:
Easton CJ. Bauer LO.

Institution:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-2103, USA.

Country of Publication:
Ireland

Source:
Psychiatry Research. 70(3):165-74, 1997 May 30.