The Effects of Caffeine on Reaction Time of Two Neurocognitive Tests

The Effects of Caffeine on Reaction Time of Two Neurocognitive Tests
Author: Kyle M. Petit
Publisher:
Total Pages: 54
Release: 2016
Genre:
ISBN: 9781339916323

A concussion is defined as a traumatically induced transient disturbance of the brain caused by a biomechanical force. These problematic injuries can prevent athletes from participating in physical activity for a number of days, weeks, or even months. Caffeine is known for improving mental alertness in everyday tasks and is found in many popular drinks such as, coffee, tea, energy shots, and even soda. Due to its increase in memory, mental alertness, and concentration, caffeine could potentially be utilized to improve the outcomes of post-concussion neurocognitive testing. This improvement would allow athletes to return to play before they have returned to full health, thus potentially setting them up for further brain trauma. The objective is to evaluate caffeine's effect on reaction time (RT) when measured with two neurocognitive evaluation tools. Design: Cross-sectional Observation. Setting: Athletic Training Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Eighteen (14 male and 4 female) (Age = 21.7 +/- 1.4 years, Height = 175.0 +/- 9.1 cm, Weight = 75.6 +/- 12.5 kg) healthy college students participated in the current study. They were excluded if they had a history of high blood pressure, diagnosed heart condition, neurocognitive disorder or clinically diagnosed mental illness, more than one concussion in their lifetime or one within the last year, caffeine sensitivity, currently taking any prescribed medications, except birth control, ingest more than 500mg of caffeine daily or have been exposed to Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) or Kind-Devick tests within the last year. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned into either a caffeine or placebo group. Following ingestion of the intervention, participants waited 45 minutes to begin their first assessment, either ImPACT or the King-Devick (KD) Test. Immediately following the first assessment, participants were evaluated using the other neurocognitive tool. Follow-up testing was conducted one week later under the opposite intervention. The testing order remained the same between the two testing sessions. Main Outcome Measures: The reaction time composite score produced by ImPACT and the overall King-Devick time were recorded and evaluated for initial testing and the follow-up appointment. These domains were compared to evaluate caffeine's effect on reaction time compared to the placebo intervention. Scores were also evaluated for each testing session regardless of the intervention. This evaluation will indicate if there is a practice effect overtime. Results: A significant improvement was noted in the ImPACT RT score following ingestion of the stimulant (0.53 +/- 0.05 seconds) compared to the placebo substance (0.56 +/- 0.07 seconds, P=.007). The KD test resulted in a significant decrease in overall time between testing session 1 and testing session 2, suggesting a practice effect (38.2 +/- 5.6 seconds, 35.5 +/- 5 seconds, P= ≤ 0.001). Participants of the current study were able to identify a computerized stimuli 0.03 seconds faster following ingestion of caffeine. Although ImPACTs RT reliable change index score of 0.06 seconds was not met, the improvement following caffeine for the current study is worth noting. The proposed clinical question still remains, should medical professionals inquire about caffeine intake prior to neurocognitive testing, to minimize possible threats to the evaluation process.

Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance

Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2002-01-07
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309082587

This report from the Committee on Military Nutrition Research reviews the history of caffeine usage, the metabolism of caffeine, and its physiological effects. The effects of caffeine on physical performance, cognitive function and alertness, and alleviation of sleep deprivation impairments are discussed in light of recent scientific literature. The impact of caffeine consumption on various aspects of health, including cardiovascular disease, reproduction, bone mineral density, and fluid homeostasis are reviewed. The behavioral effects of caffeine are also discussed, including the effect of caffeine on reaction to stress, withdrawal effects, and detrimental effects of high intakes. The amounts of caffeine found to enhance vigilance and reaction time consistently are reviewed and recommendations are made with respect to amounts of caffeine appropriate for maintaining alertness of military personnel during field operations. Recommendations are also provided on the need for appropriate labeling of caffeine-containing supplements, and education of military personnel on the use of these supplements. A brief review of some alternatives to caffeine is also provided.

Food Components to Enhance Performance

Food Components to Enhance Performance
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 560
Release: 1994-02-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 030905088X

The physiological or psychological stresses that employees bring to their workplace affect not only their own performance but that of their co-workers and others. These stresses are often compounded by those of the job itself. Medical personnel, firefighters, police, and military personnel in combat settingsâ€"among othersâ€"experience highly unpredictable timing and types of stressors. This book reviews and comments on the performance-enhancing potential of specific food components. It reflects the views of military and non-military scientists from such fields as neuroscience, nutrition, physiology, various medical specialties, and performance psychology on the most up-to-date research available on physical and mental performance enhancement in stressful conditions. Although placed within the context of military tasks, the volume will have wide-reaching implications for individuals in any job setting.

Caffeine in Food and Dietary Supplements

Caffeine in Food and Dietary Supplements
Author: Leslie A. Pray
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2014
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 9780309297493

Caffeine in Food and Dietary Supplements is the summary of a workshop convened by the Institute of Medicine in August 2013 to review the available science on safe levels of caffeine consumption in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements and to identify data gaps. Scientists with expertise in food safety, nutrition, pharmacology, psychology, toxicology, and related disciplines; medical professionals with pediatric and adult patient experience in cardiology, neurology, and psychiatry; public health professionals; food industry representatives; regulatory experts; and consumer advocates discussed the safety of caffeine in food and dietary supplements, including, but not limited to, caffeinated beverage products, and identified data gaps. Caffeine, a central nervous stimulant, is arguably the most frequently ingested pharmacologically active substance in the world. Occurring naturally in more than 60 plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, cola nuts and cocoa pods, caffeine has been part of innumerable cultures for centuries. But the caffeine-in-food landscape is changing. There are an array of new caffeine-containing energy products, from waffles to sunflower seeds, jelly beans to syrup, even bottled water, entering the marketplace. Years of scientific research have shown that moderate consumption by healthy adults of products containing naturally-occurring caffeine is not associated with adverse health effects. The changing caffeine landscape raises concerns about safety and whether any of these new products might be targeting populations not normally associated with caffeine consumption, namely children and adolescents, and whether caffeine poses a greater health risk to those populations than it does for healthy adults. This report delineates vulnerable populations who may be at risk from caffeine exposure; describes caffeine exposure and risk of cardiovascular and other health effects on vulnerable populations, including additive effects with other ingredients and effects related to pre-existing conditions; explores safe caffeine exposure levels for general and vulnerable populations; and identifies data gaps on caffeine stimulant effects.

Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, and the Brain

Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, and the Brain
Author: Astrid Nehlig
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 251
Release: 2004-04-27
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0203618858

Coffee, tea, and chocolate are among the most frequently consumed products in the world. The pleasure that many experience from these edibles is accompanied by a range of favorable and adverse effects on the brain that have been the focus of a wealth of recent research. Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, and the Brain presents new information on the

Effects of Caffeine on a Computer-based Neurocognitive Assessment

Effects of Caffeine on a Computer-based Neurocognitive Assessment
Author: Christopher A. Hawley
Publisher:
Total Pages: 142
Release: 2011
Genre: Caffeine
ISBN:

"Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health concern within the United States. One type of TBI which has received much attention in recent years is concussions, especially with regards to evaluation and return-to-play (RTP) decisions in athletics. Neurocognitive tests are one tool used by sports medicine professionals to help make RTP decisions. Computer-based neurocognitive assessments have gained popularity in the past decade and are becoming common practice in many clinics because of their ease of administration. Considering the number of external factors that can affect test scores, sports medicine professionals have begun to question whether there may be medications or other non-medicinal drugs which may affect test results. This study investigated the effects caffeine on the outcomes of a computer-based neurocognitive assessment via a within-subjects, double-blind, cross-over design. Participants were 40 Division I collegiate athletes. Results from this study suggest that caffeine has an effect on the performance of computerized neurocognitive measures and should cause sports medicine professionals to question the validity of athlete's test scores if caffeine has been consumed before taking the test. Future research should study the effects of caffeine on actual concussed individuals as well as study other medicinal and non-medicinal drugs which are purported to improve neurocognitive abilities and/or an individual's concussed state"--Document.

Sleep Deprivation, Stimulant Medications, and Cognition

Sleep Deprivation, Stimulant Medications, and Cognition
Author: Nancy J. Wesensten
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 287
Release: 2012-08-23
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 1107004098

Provides a critical review of stimulant medication literature regarding stimulant efficacy for restoring/maintaining cognition during sleep loss.

Advances in Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering

Advances in Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering
Author: Kelly S. Hale
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 438
Release: 2016-07-26
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 331941691X

This book offers a broad perspective on the field of cognitive engineering and neuroergonomics. It covers emerging practices and future trends towards the harmonious integration of human operators with computational systems. The book reports on novel theoretical findings on mental workload and stress, activity theory, human reliability, error and risk, and neuroergonomic measures alike, together with a wealth of cutting-edge applications. It describes key advances in the understanding of cognitive processes, including mechanisms of perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, giving a special emphasis to their role in the interactions between humans and the other elements of a computer-based system. Based on the AHFE’s main track on Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering, held on July 27-31, 2016 in Walt Disney World®, Florida, USA, the book provides readers with a comprehensive view of the current challenges in cognitive computing and factors influencing human performance.

Human Learning and Memory

Human Learning and Memory
Author: Chizuko Izawa
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 334
Release: 2014-04-08
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 113561783X

This text celebrates the fourth Tsukuba International Conference on Memory (Tic4) held in January of 2003, by setting forth productive directions for memory researchers and human learning theorists around the world. It presents fascinating perspectives on progress, and future prospects for models, theories, and hypotheses authors developed, including several new, never published experimental results. Contributors include the winner of the 1997 U.S. Congressional Medal of Science--William K. Estes--who graced the text by penning the forward. The three full day presentations of Tic4 included presentations by 225 experts, represented by 73 universities from countries on four continents: Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Human Learning and Memory presents 11 chapters by invited speakers, and its appendices include titles of all papers accepted for Tic4 presentations, as well as a background introduction to Japanese cultures, relevant to Tic4 experiences. This book appeals to scholars, researchers, and teachers in the fields of human learning and memory, cognition, language learning, and educational psychology (theoretical, empirical, and applied dimensions). It can also be used as a textbook for both advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in these domains, either as required or recommended reading.