Benefits
Cognitive function in older adults
In two randomized, placebo-controlled trials in healthy older adults, 250 mg/day improved general cognition scores and attention, language, and immediate and delayed memory subtests more than placebo. Visuospatial scores did not change in the 12-week trial but improved in the 84-day trial. Both trials involved the maker.
Immediate and delayed memory
Both trials found immediate and delayed memory scores improved more than with placebo. In the 84-day trial, some memory gains were significant versus placebo by day 14 and continued to day 84. The trials enrolled healthy older adults with normal cognition, and the 84-day trial used one-tailed statistical tests.
Selective attention after the first dose
In the 84-day trial, a selective attention test (the Modified Bells Test) improved 90 minutes after the first 250 mg dose. This is one measure from one maker-funded trial.
Mood questionnaire scores in older adults
In the 12-week trial (111 healthy older adults), Beck Depression Inventory scores fell about 16% from baseline, a significant difference from placebo. This was a secondary outcome in people without clinical depression, the 84-day trial did not measure it, and it is not a treatment for depression.
Anxiety rating scale scores in older adults
In the same 12-week trial, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores fell about 25% from baseline; the difference from placebo reached only p<0.05. This was a secondary outcome in people without an anxiety disorder, and the 84-day trial did not measure it.
Mechanism of action
Grape polyphenols and brain health (proposed)
Grape anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins are proposed to support brain function through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These ideas come mainly from laboratory and animal research; the Cognigrape trials measured test scores, not mechanisms.
Blood flow to the brain (proposed)
Grape polyphenols are also proposed to support blood vessel function and blood flow to the brain. This has not been measured in the Cognigrape trials.
Clinical trials
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 250 mg/day for 12 weeks. Two co-authors were Bionap R&D researchers, although the paper declares no commercial or financial relationship. (Calapai et al. 2017, Front Pharmacol)
111 healthy older adults: 57 on Cognigrape and 54 on placebo (mean age about 67).
MMSE scores improved versus placebo (p<0.0001). Beck Depression Inventory scores fell 15.8% (p<0.0001 vs placebo) and Hamilton Anxiety scores fell 24.9% (p<0.05 vs placebo). The RBANS total score improved, including attention (p<0.001), language (p<0.05), immediate memory (p<0.0001) and delayed memory (p<0.0001). Visuospatial and constructional abilities did not change. No adverse effects were detected.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 250 mg/day for 84 days, funded by Bionap, with a Bionap employee as co-author; statistics were one-tailed and per protocol. (Amone et al. 2024, Foods)
120 healthy adults over 55 randomized (60 per group); 96 completed per protocol (48 per group), mean age about 60.
Compared with placebo, the extract improved scores on the MMSE, RBANS, ENB-2 and Modified Bells Test, including immediate and delayed memory, visuospatial abilities, language and attention. Some gains appeared by day 14 and continued to day 84, and selective attention improved 90 minutes after the first dose.