Endpoint
Working memory performance
CAT:outcome/working-memoryreported in instrument-specific score4 findings from 4 compounds
What moved it
How to read these marks4 findings · 4 compounds · by evidence strength
| Compound | Direction | Findings | Strongest evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| lutein | up | 1 | Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers. |
| sulforaphane | up | 1 | Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers. |
| methylphenidate | up | 1 | Evidence strength: limited. Human evidence with several recorded weaknesses, or a design that tops out at limited. |
| Withania somnifera | up | 1 | Evidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence. |
Reported to move it
4 findings
lutein — increases
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.Finding“The LZ group showed significant increases in serum lutein levels, reduced eye strain and fatigue, and improved cognitive performance (focus, episodic memory and learning, visuospatial working memory) at days 90 and 180 compared to placebo.”
Quoted verbatim from Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation Improves Dynamic Visual and Cognitive Performance in Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study.. - Study
- RCT
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- gummies containing 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin daily for 180 days
- Population
- children aged 5-12 years
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation Improves Dynamic Visual and Cognitive Performance in Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study.2024PMID:38363462An author is affiliated with a producerPermalink
sulforaphane — increases
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.Finding“Finally, the SFN intake group demonstrated improvements in processing speed and working memory performance compared to the placebo intake group.”
Quoted verbatim from Brain Training and Sulforaphane Intake Interventions Separately Improve Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults, Whereas a Combination of These Interventions Does Not Have More Beneficial Effects: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial.. - Study
- RCT
- Duration
- 3 months
- Dose
- Three capsules per day containing 30 mg glucoraphanin (SFN precursor) versus 0 mg in placebo
- Population
- Healthy Japanese older adults aged 60-80; 2x2 factorial in which every participant also played either a brain-training game or an active-control game, balanced across the SFN and placebo arms; pooled across game arms
Brain Training and Sulforaphane Intake Interventions Separately Improve Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults, Whereas a Combination of These Interventions Does Not Have More Beneficial Effects: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial.2021PMID:33503851Industry fundedPermalink
methylphenidate — increases
LimitedEvidence strength: limited. Human evidence with several recorded weaknesses, or a design that tops out at limited.Finding“A significant main effect of treatment was observed for numeric working memory accuracy, whereby accuracy improved (better performance: F(1,96) = 8.76, p = 0.004) following methylphenidate (M = 96.47, SD ± 2.83) administration relative to placebo (M = 94.45, SD ± 4.43, with an odds ratio of 1.67 (95%CI: 1.09–2.57).).”
Quoted verbatim from Acute Administration of 10 mg Methylphenidate on Cognitive Performance and Visual Scanning in Healthy Adults: Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.. - Study
- crossover
- Dose
- 10 mg methylphenidate (Ritalin), single dose
- Population
- Healthy adults aged 21-45 years; single 10 mg dose against placebo in a randomised double-blind crossover with one-week washout; main effect of treatment pooled over the 20-minute and 130-minute assessments
Effect 1.67 odds ratio, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.57
Acute Administration of 10 mg Methylphenidate on Cognitive Performance and Visual Scanning in Healthy Adults: Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.2025PMID:39930713Permalink
Withania somnifera — increases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Finding“Acute ASH supplementation increased STT-determined working memory as demonstrated by an improvement in 6 letter length, Present Reaction Time at 3 and 6 h.”
Quoted verbatim from Effects of Acute Ashwagandha Ingestion on Cognitive Function.. - Study
- crossover
- Participants
- 13
- Dose
- 400 mg, acute single dose, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover with a 4-day washout
- Population
- healthy adult volunteers
Effects of Acute Ashwagandha Ingestion on Cognitive Function.2022PMID:36231152Permalink
How it is measured
Score on a named validated instrument. The instrument is recorded with each finding and is part of what makes two findings comparable.
Measured, not recorded
- Subject
- working memory performance
- Measurements
- 1 measurement
- Recorded as a finding
- No
Show what was measured
working memory performance
increases
Not recorded as a finding: outcome node requires a named validated instrument; the abstract reports only 'working memory tasks' without naming the instrument used
One hour after administration curcumin significantly improved performance on sustained attention and working memory tasks, compared with placebo.
PMID:25277322 · one of two readings recorded this
Sources cited
4 papers
- Subject
- working memory performance
- Findings
- 4
- Papers
- 4
Acute Administration of 10 mg Methylphenidate on Cognitive Performance and Visual Scanning in Healthy Adults: Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.record2025PMID:399307131 finding
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation Improves Dynamic Visual and Cognitive Performance in Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study.record2024PMID:383634621 finding
Effects of Acute Ashwagandha Ingestion on Cognitive Function.record2022PMID:362311521 finding
Brain Training and Sulforaphane Intake Interventions Separately Improve Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults, Whereas a Combination of These Interventions Does Not Have More Beneficial Effects: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial.record2021PMID:335038511 finding