ORCID Profile
0000-0002-2548-1926
Current Organisation
University of Salford
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-01-2019
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 20-10-2010
DOI: 10.1159/000321833
Abstract: i Aims: /i Our group has conducted several Internet investigations into the biobehavioural effects of self-reported recreational use of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymeth hetamine or Ecstasy) and other psychosocial drugs. Here we report a new study examining the relationship between self-reported Ecstasy use and traces of MDMA found in hair s les. i Methods: /i In a laboratory setting, 49 undergraduate volunteers performed an Internet-based assessment which included mood scales and the University of East London Drug Use Questionnaire, which asks for history and current drug use. They also provided a hair s le for determination of exposure to MDMA over the previous month. i Results: /i Self-report of Ecstasy use and presence in hair s les were consistent (p 0.00001). Both subjective and objective measures predicted lower self-reported ratings of happiness and higher self-reported stress. Self-reported Ecstasy use, but not presence in hair, was also associated with decreased tension. i Conclusion: /i Different psychoactive drugs can influence long-term mood and cognition in complex and dynamically interactive ways. Here we have shown a good correspondence between self-report and objective assessment of exposure to MDMA. These data suggest that the Internet has potentially high utility as a useful medium to complement traditional laboratory studies into the sequelae of recreational drug use.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 21-06-2013
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114513001141
Abstract: Glucose facilitation of cognitive function has been widely reported in previous studies (including our own). However, several studies have also failed to detect glucose facilitation. There is sparsity of research examining the factors that modify the effect of glucose on cognition. The aims of the present study were to (1) demonstrate the previously observed enhancement of cognition through glucose administration and (2) investigate some of the factors that may exert moderating roles on the behavioural response to glucose, including glucose regulation, body composition (BC) and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis response. A total of twenty-four participants took part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, repeated-measures study, which examined the effect of 25 and 60 g glucose compared with placebo on cognitive function. At 1 week before the study commencement, all participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Glucose facilitated performance on tasks of numeric and spatial working memory, verbal declarative memory and speed of recognition. Moderating variables were examined using several indices of glucoregulation and BC. Poorer glucoregulation predicted improved immediate word recall accuracy following the administration of 25 g glucose compared with placebo. Those with better glucoregulation showed performance decrements on word recall accuracy following the administration of 25 g glucose compared with placebo. These findings are in line with accumulating evidence that glucose load may preferentially enhance cognition in those with poorer glucoregulation. Furthermore, the finding that in iduals with better glucoregulation may suffer impaired performance following a glucose load is novel and requires further substantiation.
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2011
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.APPET.2010.11.149
Abstract: There are surprisingly few randomised, controlled trials into the effects of dietary change on mood and cognition in healthy in iduals. Here we examined the effects of 10 days of changing to a nutrient-rich diet on mood and cognitive performance. Young female adults (N=25) were randomised to a diet change (DC), or a no change (NC) control group. Those in the DC condition adhered to the nutrient-dense Mediterranean diet. Mood and cognitive performance were assessed at baseline and on day 10. Compared with the NC group, the DC group showed significant improvements in self-rated vigour, alertness and contentment. Changes in cognitive tasks were somewhat inconsistent. These preliminary findings require verification in larger trials but suggest that appropriate dietary change may benefit mood and some aspects of cognitive performance in healthy adults.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 10-2013
DOI: 10.1111/NURE.12065
Abstract: A systematic review was conducted to evaluate whether chocolate or its constituents were capable of influencing cognitive function and/or mood. Studies investigating potentially psychoactive fractions of chocolate were also included. Eight studies (in six articles) met the inclusion criteria for assessment of chocolate or its components on mood, of which five showed either an improvement in mood state or an attenuation of negative mood. Regarding cognitive function, eight studies (in six articles) met the criteria for inclusion, of which three revealed clear evidence of cognitive enhancement (following cocoa flavanols and methylxanthine). Two studies failed to demonstrate behavioral benefits but did identify significant alterations in brain activation patterns. It is unclear whether the effects of chocolate on mood are due to the orosensory characteristics of chocolate or to the pharmacological actions of chocolate constituents. Two studies have reported acute cognitive effects of supplementation with cocoa polyphenols. Further exploration of the effect of chocolate on cognitive facilitation is recommended, along with substantiation of functional brain changes associated with the components of cocoa.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-07-2012
DOI: 10.1002/HUP.2245
Abstract: The current pilot study aimed to assess the effects of drinking alcohol in a naturalistic setting on aspects of performance. Thirty in iduals were approached and tested in idually in a university c us bar. They provided details regarding alcoholic drinks consumption. Each was breathalysed before and after completion of a computerised test battery administered on a handheld device. The battery consisted of visual analogue mood scales, a series of alcohol-sensitive psychomotor and cognitive tests. There were highly significant correlations between measured blood alcohol concentrations, estimated units of alcohol consumed and scores on a 'sober-drunk' VAS (p < 0.001 in all cases). For performance, there was a characteristic alcohol-associated shift in the speed/accuracy trade-off (SATO), which was reflected as significantly more errors with less effect on speed across several measures (including maze performance and Serial Sevens). In iduals who were more intoxicated were also significantly less alert. The data suggest that controlled laboratory tests into the effects of alcohol intoxication may have ecological validity, with SATO shifts amongst the characteristic impairments seen in both controlled and naturalistic settings.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 22-02-2011
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114511000158
Abstract: Age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) and dementia are of increasing concern to an ageing population. In recent years, there has been considerable research focused on effective dietary interventions that may prevent or ameliorate ARCD and dementia. While a number of studies have considered the impact that dairy products may have on physiological health, particularly with regard to the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular health, further research is currently needed in order to establish the impact that dairy products have in the promotion of healthy brain function during ageing. The present review considers the available evidence for the positive effects of dairy products on the metabolic syndrome and glucose regulation, with consideration of the implications for neurocognitive health. A literature search of current (September 2010) meta-analyses/reviews and original research regarding dairy products and cognition was conducted through SCOPUS using the following search terms for dairy consituents: dairy, milk, cheese, yoghurt, probiotics, whey protein, alpha lactalbumin, calcium, B-12, bioactive peptides and colostrinin (CLN). These search terms for dairy products were combined with the following search terms related to cognition and health: cognition, cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, insulin resistance and glucose regulation. Concerns regarding SFA and other fatty acids found in dairy products are also reviewed in relation to different forms of dairy products. The review also considers recent evidence for positive neurocognitive effects associated with bioactive peptides, CLN and proline-rich polypeptides, α-lactalbumin, vitamin B 12 , calcium and probiotics. Future directions for the extraction and purification of beneficial constituents are also discussed. It is concluded that low-fat dairy products, when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet, may have a number of beneficial outcomes for neurocognitive health during ageing.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 28-01-2015
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2012.657809
Abstract: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most essential herbaceous plants that have been probed against various life sight related disorders owing to array of phytochemicals. It is important source of vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, and carotenoids, such as lycopene. Carotenoids are the pigments synthesized during fruit ripening and responsible for the final red color of the tomato. Consumption of tomato and tomato-based products contribute to the absorption of carotenoids and lycopenes in human serum. Lycopene is chemically acyclic carotene with 11 conjugated double bonds, normally in transconfiguration while isomerization occur in blood plasma for its better absorption. It has ability for adenosine deaminase inhibition that plays important role in the regression of tumor. Tomato also contain other active compounds, namely, neoxanthin, lutein, α-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, β-carotene, cyclolycopene, and β-carotene 5, 6-epoxide. These components provide synergistic effect against various threats but still need further attention of the researchers. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have elucidated the potential of tomato against variety of metabolic syndromes. Latest research highlights the relationship between consuming tomato and its products with reduced risk of various maladies like obesity, hyperglycemic and hypercholesterolemic attributes, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer insurgences. Moreover, tomato and its bioactive components hold potential to become effective modules in diet-based regimens however, integrated research and meta-analysis are still required to enhance meticulousness.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-10-2011
DOI: 10.1007/S00213-011-2510-2
Abstract: Previous research has identified a number of factors that appear to moderate the behavioural response to glucose administration. These include physiological state, dose, types of cognitive tasks used and level of cognitive demand. Another potential moderating factor is the length of the fasting interval prior to a glucose load. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effect of glucose dose and fasting interval on mood and cognitive function. The current study utilised a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced, six period crossover design to examine potential interactions between length of fasting interval (2 versus 12 hours) and optimal dose for cognition enhancement. Results demonstrated that the higher dose (60 g) increased working memory performance following an overnight fast, whereas the lower dose (25 g) enhanced working memory performance following a 2-h fast. The data suggest that optimal glucose dosage may differ under different conditions of depleted blood glucose resources. In addition, glucoregulation was observed to be a moderating factor. However, further research is needed to develop a model of the moderating and mediating factors under which glucose facilitation is best achieved.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-07-2014
DOI: 10.1002/HUP.2417
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-02-2019
Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Date: 02-04-2014
Publisher: CRC Press
Date: 10-01-2013
DOI: 10.1201/B13736
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-06-2010
DOI: 10.1007/S00213-010-1876-X
Abstract: Previous research has suggested that long-term verbal declarative memory is particularly sensitive to enhancement by glucose loading however, investigation of glucose effects on certain memory domains has hitherto been neglected. Therefore, domain specificity of glucose effects merits further elucidation. The aim of the present research was to provide a more comprehensive investigation of the possible effects of glucose administration on different aspects of memory by 1) contrasting the effect of glucose administration on different memory domains (implicit/explicit memory verbal/non-verbal memory, and recognition/familiarity processes), 2) investigating whether potential effects on memory domains differ depending on the dose of glucose administered (25 g versus 60 g), 3) exploring the duration of the glucose facilitation effect (assessment of memory performance 35 min and 1 week after encoding). A double-blind between-subjects design was used to test the effects of administration of 25 and 60 g glucose on memory performance. Implicit memory was improved following administration of 60 g of glucose. Glucose supplementation failed to improve face recognition performance but significantly improved performance of word recall and recognition following administration of 60 g of glucose. However, effects were not maintained 1 week following encoding. Improved implicit memory performance following glucose administration has not been reported before. Furthermore, the current data tentatively suggest that level of processing may determine the required glucose dosage to demonstrate memory improvement and that higher dosages may be able to exert effects on memory pertaining to both hippoc al and non-hippoc al brain regions.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Lauren Owen.