Cognitive and Neurometabolic Effects of Creatine

Creatine improves cognitive performance during sleep deprivation

Creatine is a popular dietary supplement in the sports community. It is found in foods and can also be produced by the body. According to studies, creatine has the potential to counteract the cognitive impairment caused by sleep deprivation. In a randomized longitudinal study, effects of a high dose of creatine (0.35 g/kg) on neurometabolic processes and cognitive performance during sleep deprivation was investigated.

On two different nights, subjects were administered creatine or placebo before sleep deprivation at 8:30 pm. In subsequent measurements, neurometabolic changes and cognitive performance were examined at 0 pm, 2 am, and 4 am.

Each session consisted of magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements (two ³¹P-MRS and three ¹H-MRS) to investigate the course of high energy phosphates (PCr and ATP) and creatine (tCr). The cognitive tasks consisted of psychomotor vigilance tests (PVT, reaction speed), forward digit span (SPAN), word memory tasks (WMT), and multiple-choice tasks (language, logic, numeric).

From the third hour after creatine administration onwards, a positive effect on brain metabolism and cognitive performance was observed which lasted up to nine hours. In particular, processing time and short-term memory improved.

Time course of tCr/tNAA of the left medial parietal voxel and averages of Pi/³¹P, ATP-ß/³¹P, and pH values of the middle and upper grid voxels after oral administration of creatine (red solid lines) or placebo (black dashed lines). ³¹P represents the total phosphorus signal.

Baseline (6 pm) related changes in cognitive performance, speed of processing time, and metabolic parameters (PCr, ATP, Pi) after oral administration of creatine compared to placebo when pooled at 3 time points (0 pm, 2 am, 4 am).

These results suggest that a single, high dose of creatine improves cognitive performance and causes changes in the brain's energy reserves during sleep deprivation. However, for the time being, taking such a high dose in private settings is not recommended, as high doses of creatine can put a strain on the kidneys and cause health risks.

Contact: Dr. Ali Gordjinejad


Last Modified: 24.09.2024
CreatineCognitive performancesleep deprivation