Logo image
Back
An examination into the effects of tocotrienols (TheraPrimE® rice) on cognitive abilities and sleep in healthy adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

An examination into the effects of tocotrienols (TheraPrimE® rice) on cognitive abilities and sleep in healthy adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Adrian L Lopresti, Stephen J Smith, Lixin Ding, Yanmei Li and Peinan Zhang
Frontiers in nutrition (Lausanne), Vol.12, 1621516
2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1621516
PMID: 40969603
pdf
Published1.30 MBDownloadView
CC BY V4.0,  Open Access

Abstract

sleep tocotrienols memory cognition vitamin E
Background/objectives: Tocotrienols are a form of vitamin E that may have neuroprotective effects. However, there have been no studies examining its effects on cognitive function when delivered as a stand-alone intervention. The purpose of this two-arm, 12-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to examine the effects of supplementation with tocotrienols derived from rice bran (TheraPrimE® rice) on memory and sleep in adults with subjective memory complaints. Methods: Ninety-one adults aged 40–80 were supplemented with a placebo or 100 mg of tocotrienols daily. Outcome measures included the Test of Memory and Learning (version 2), and self-report questionnaires assessing executive function and sleep quality. Moreover, changes in blood markers associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotropic activity were examined. Results: Compared to the placebo, tocotrienol supplementation was associated with greater improvements in general memory (p = 0.045, 95% CI: 0.34, 32.21). Memory changes were primarily due to improvements in non-verbal memory (p = 0.039, 95% CI: 0.68, 26.63). However, there were no group differences in changes in verbal memory. Moreover, there were no group differences in changes in self-reported executive function, although there were greater improvements in sleep disturbance in the tocotrienols group (p = 0.015, 95% CI: −4.80, −0.55). An examination of blood markers revealed a statistically significant larger increase in Tumour Necrosis Factor-α in the placebo group (p = 0.043) and a larger increase in C-reactive protein (p = 0.039) in the tocotrienols group. Tocotrienols were not associated with any serious adverse reactions. Conclusion: This is the first controlled study demonstrating the cognitive-enhancing and sleep-promoting effects of stand-alone supplementation with tocotrienols. However, future research is required to substantiate this study’s results and examine the potential mechanisms of action.

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

Source: InCites

Metrics

3 File views/ downloads
7 Record Views

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types
International collaboration
Citation topics
1 Clinical & Life Sciences
1.68 Lipids
1.68.707 Oxidative Lipid Damage
Web Of Science research areas
Nutrition & Dietetics
ESI research areas
Clinical Medicine
Logo image