Safety and Efficacy Study of Qualia Mind on Cognition in a Healthy Population

Qualia Mind is a nootropic supplement containing a complex mixture of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, choline donors, and herbal ingredients. These components have been demonstrated to exert their cognitive effects through distinct mechanisms of action involving cholinergic, glutamatergic, and dopaminergic receptor signalling; neuroplasticity; and modulation of cell membrane structure and metabolism. Vitamin B6 and B12 supplementation have been shown to improve cognitive scores related to memory in healthy participants aged 20 to 92 years. Twenty-eight days of B vitamin complex and vitamin C supplementation increased subjective ratings of concentration, mental stamina, and alertness. Although each B vitamin may exert differential effects on cognition, a higher intake of B vitamins throughout adulthood is associated with greater cognitive function later in life. An acute dose of CDP-choline improved processing speed, memory, verbal learning, and executive functioning in healthy participants who were poor performers on tests at baseline. Cognitive improvement among all participants may have been observed with repeated administration. It is also expected that with the additional administration of uridine monophosphate (UMP) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, would have a greater effect on cognitive performance based on preclinical studies describing a synergistic effect between the ingredients. Phosphatidylserine (PS) daily supplementation has strong clinical support for use in healthy humans for enhancing cognition and maintaining cognitive baseline performance. Moreover, the cognitive effects of Ginkgo biloba were found to be superior when complexed with PS. A specific extract of the herbal adaptogen, Bacopa monnieri, prepared from stems, leaves, and roots of the plant has been shown in healthy populations to enhance cognition by improving memory recall, selective attention, and processing speed. Rhodiola rosea, another herbal adaptogen, improved speed, and accuracy, compared to placebo, in a choice reaction time task using an extract derived from roots of the plant following a 4-week supplementation period. Examination of individual and synergistic effects of theobromine and caffeine in preclinical and clinical studies have been generally positive. Several doses of theobromine with caffeine have been shown to improve alertness, working memory, and other cognitive facets. Caffeine in combination with L-theanine has also been demonstrated to improve processing speed and accuracy in an attention-switching task, while improving concentration in a memory task. Other ingredients, such as Celastrus paniculatus, and pyrroloquinoline quinone have preclinical evidence supporting their positive effect on cognition that warrants further investigations in the form of clinical trials.

A previous open-label study in a healthy population consuming Qualia Mind for 5 days assessed cognition using the Cambridge Brain Science Test and found significant improvements in memory, concentration, reasoning, and planning skills compared to baseline. Participants reported a significant 85% improvement in concentration after 5 days of supplementation. These promising preliminary results, however, require placebo-controlled studies to aid their interpretation.

While the interest in enhancing cognitive performance is growing along with the use of brain health supplements, it is important to establish the safety and efficacy of nootropic supplements. Prescription and prohibited stimulant drugs intended to enhance mental performance have been increasing in usage worldwide. In 2017, results from the Global Drug Survey found that 14% of respondents reported using stimulants at least once in the last 12 months, an increase from the 5% reported in the previous year. In the US alone, the use of drugs specifically for cognitive enhancement rose from 20 to 30%. These individuals seeking out cognitive enhancement primarily used prescription drugs, that are designed for individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), such as the popular methylphenidate (Ritalin) or amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall).

However, the evidence that these drugs enhance cognition in individuals without ADHD is lacking. Moreover, the misuse of stimulants is associated with adverse effects, such as psychosis, anorexia, cardiovascular events, and sudden death. The alternative nootropic industry of cognitive enhancers is a safe and legal substitute, with supplements designed specifically for healthy individuals. It is likely that stimulant misuse and associated adverse effects will be reduced, with the growing popularity and availability of clinically proven nootropics.

Based on the existing evidence on individual ingredients and preliminary studies on Qualia Mind, the current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study is designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of Qualia Mind on cognition in a healthy adult population between ages of 18 and 75 years.

ETHICAL ASPECTS OF THE STUDY

This study will be conducted with the highest respect for the individual participants (i.e., participants) according to the protocol, the ethical principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki, and the ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline for GCP.

STATISTICAL EVALUATION

Analysis Plan

The Safety Population will consist of all participants who received any amount of either product and on whom any post-randomization safety information is available.

The Intent-to-Treat (ITT) Population consists of all participants who received either product and on whom any post-randomization efficacy information is available.

The Per Protocol (PP) Population consists of all participants who consumed at least 80% of treatment or placebo doses, do not have any major protocol violations and complete all study visits and procedures connected with measurement of the primary variable.

Statistical Analysis Plan

All hypothesis testing will be carried out at the 5% (2-sided) significance level unless otherwise specified.

All data will be summarised by study group and/or visit. For continuous variables, the minimum and maximum, the arithmetic mean, median and standard deviation will be presented to two decimal places. For categorical variables, counts and percentages will be described. The denominator for each percentage will be the number of subjects within the population study group unless otherwise specified.

The formula for the changes of continuous endpoints from screening/baseline:

Change to Vi = Value at Vi - Value at V screening/baseline For the primary outcomes, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) will be conducted for the evaluation of the change from baseline to the follow-up visit. The model will include period, group and sequence as fixed effects.

Inclusion criteria

• Provided voluntary, written, informed consent to participate in the study
• Male and female participants between 18 and 75 years of age, inclusive
• BMI between 18.5 to 32.5 kg/m2, inclusive
• Female participant is not of child-bearing potential, defined as females who have undergone a sterilization procedure (e.g. hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, complete endometrial ablation) or have been post-menopausal for at least 1 year prior to screening

or,

Females of child-bearing potential must have a negative baseline urine pregnancy test and agree to use a medically approved method of birth control for the duration of the study. All hormonal birth control must have been in use for a minimum of three months. Acceptable methods of birth control include:

• Hormonal contraceptives including oral contraceptives, hormone birth control patch (Ortho Evra), vaginal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing), injectable contraceptives (Depo-Provera, Lunelle), or hormone implant (Norplant System)
• Double-barrier method
• Intrauterine devices (implanted for at a minimum of 3 months)
• Non-heterosexual lifestyle or agrees to use contraception if planning on changing to heterosexual partner(s)
• Vasectomy of partner at least 6 months prior to screening
• Men must agree to the use of condoms unless partner is using an acceptable form of female contraception as defined in inclusion #4 during the study period and for at least 7 days after completion of the study
• Willingness to complete questionnaires, records, and diaries associated with the study and to complete all clinic visits
• A score of ≥ 25 on MMSE-2 (Section 9.7.5)
• Agrees to avoid high caffeine consumption starting 5-days prior to visit 2 and during the study (equivalent to no more than 2 standard cups of caffeinated coffee or tea per day)
• Agrees to avoid caffeine consumption 24 hours prior to in-clinic visits
• Agrees to avoid alcohol consumption 24 hours prior to in-clinic visits
• Agrees to avoid cannabis use 24 hours prior to in-clinic visits
• Have a regular sleep-wake cycle with a bedtime between 9:00 pm and 12:00 am and receive between 7 and 9 hours of sleep for at least 3 weeks prior to baseline
• Agrees to maintain current sleep schedule throughout study
• Agrees to maintain current level of physical activity and diet throughout the study
• Healthy as determined by medical history and laboratory results as assessed by QI

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals who are cognitively impaired and/or who are unable to give informed consent
• Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant during the trial
• Allergy, sensitivity, or intolerance to the investigational product's active or inactive ingredients
• Previous diagnosis of a sleep disorder
• Currently experiencing vivid nightmares or sleepwalking
• Current employment that calls for rotating shift work or shift work that will disrupt normal circadian rhythm in the last 3 weeks
• Unstable metabolic disease or chronic diseases as assessed by the QI
• Unstable hypertension. Treatment on a stable dose of medication for at least 3 months will be considered by the QI
• Type I or Type II diabetes
• A significant cardiovascular event in the past 6 months. Participants with no significant cardiovascular event on stable medication may be included after assessment by the QI on a case by case basis
• Major surgery in the past 3 months or individuals who have planned surgery during the course of the trial. Participants with minor surgery will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the QI
• Cancer, except skin cancers completely excised with no chemotherapy or radiation with a follow up that is negative. Volunteers with cancer in full remission for more than five years after diagnosis are acceptable
• Individuals with an autoimmune disease or are immune-compromised
• Self-reported diagnosis of HIV-, Hepatitis B- and/or C-positive
• History of or current diagnosis with kidney and/or liver diseases as assessed by the QI on a case-by-case basis, with the exception of history of kidney stones symptom-free for 6 months
• Self-reported current or pre-existing thyroid condition. Treatment on a stable dose of medication for at least 3 months will be considered by the QI
• Self-reported medical or neuropsychological condition and/or cognitive impairment that, in the QI's opinion, could interfere with study participation
• Current or history of any significant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
• Blood/bleeding disorders as determined by laboratory results
• Current use of prescribed medications listed in the protocol
• Current use of over-the-counter medications, supplements, foods and/or drinks listed in the protocol
• Chronic use of cannabinoid products (>2 times/week)
• Use of tobacco products within 60 days of the baseline visit and during the study period
• Self-reported alcohol or drug abuse within the last 12 months
• Self-reported high alcohol intake (average of >2 standard drinks per day or >10 standard drinks per week)
• Clinically significant abnormal laboratory results at screening as assessed by the QI
• Blood donation 30 days prior to screening, during the study, or a planned donation within 30-days of the last study visit
• Participation in other clinical research trials 30 days prior to screening
• Any other condition, that, in the opinion of the QI, may adversely affect the participant's ability to complete the study or its measures or pose a significant risk to the participant