Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, Division of Kinesiology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
J Diet Suppl. 2021;18(2):147-168. doi: 10.1080/19390211.2020.1733730. Epub 2020 Mar 6.
β-alanine (BA) supplementation may improve cognition and mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with aging, neurological disorders, and physical exertion, which has been attributed to increases in brain carnosine and/or brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). BA also provides beneficial effects on cognition, mood, and physical performance during military operations; however, whether BA can attenuate mood disruptions and cognitive dysfunction associated with the anticipatory stress prior to simulated military operations is unknown. The present study examined the effects of 14 days of BA (12 g·day) supplementation on cognitive function, mood, and circulating BDNF concentrations in recreationally-active, healthy males with limited inflammation and oxidative stress prior to a 24h simulated military operation. Participants were randomized into BA ( = 10) or placebo ( = 9; PL) for 14 days. Cognitive function, mood, and circulating BDNF were assessed before (PRE) and after (POST) supplementation. Cognition was assessed multiple object tracking (Neurotracker™), visuomotor reaction time (Dynavision™), mathematical processing (Serial Subtraction Test), and neuropsychological assessments (ANAM™). Mood was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. After POST testing, subjects underwent a 24h simulated military operation. No change in measures of cognitive function or BDNF concentrations were observed ( > 0.05). However, BA experienced significant reductions ( = 0.046) in subjective feelings of depression, while PL experienced significant reductions ( = 0.021) in feelings of vigor from PRE to POST. High-dose, short-duration BA supplementation does not appear to affect cognitive function or circulating BDNF, but may mitigate the onset of negative mood states in healthy, recreationally-active males prior to a simulated military operation.
β-丙氨酸（BA）补充剂可能会改善认知能力，并减轻与衰老、神经紊乱和体力消耗相关的焦虑和抑郁症状，这归因于大脑肌肽和/或脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）的增加。BA 还对军事行动期间的认知、情绪和身体表现有有益影响；然而，BA 是否可以减轻与模拟军事行动前预期应激相关的情绪障碍和认知功能障碍尚不清楚。本研究在模拟军事行动前炎症和氧化应激水平有限的、有规律运动的健康男性中，检查了 14 天 BA（12g·天）补充对认知功能、情绪和循环 BDNF 浓度的影响。参与者被随机分为 BA（ = 10）或安慰剂（ = 9；PL）组，补充 14 天。在补充前（PRE）和补充后（POST）评估认知功能、情绪和循环 BDNF。使用多目标跟踪（Neurotracker™）、视动反应时间（Dynavision™）、数学处理（连续减法测试）和神经心理学评估（ANAM™）评估认知功能。使用心境状态问卷（POMS）评估情绪。POST 测试后，受试者进行了 24 小时模拟军事行动。未观察到认知功能或 BDNF 浓度的变化（ > 0.05）。然而，BA 经历了主观抑郁感的显著降低（ = 0.046），而 PL 经历了活力感的显著降低（ = 0.021），从 PRE 到 POST。高剂量、短时间的 BA 补充似乎不会影响认知功能或循环 BDNF，但可能会减轻健康、有规律运动的男性在模拟军事行动前负面情绪状态的发生。
