The acute effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy normal subjects

The Ayurvedic medicine Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) has been shown to exert cog nitive enhancing effects in animals. The current study examined the acute e ffects of an extract of Bacopa monniera on cognitive function in normal hea lthy human subjects. The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled indep endent group design in which subjects were randomly allocated to one of two treatment conditions, Bacopa monniera (300 mg) (n = 18) or placebo (n = 20 ). Neuropsychological testing was conducted before and 2h after drug admini stration. No significant changes were found on any of the tests. The findin gs suggest that Bacopa monniera, at least for the dose administered, has no acute effects on cognitive functioning in normal healthy subjects. Copyrig ht (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.