ABSTRACT
This study is to examine whether health food containing α-lipoic acid, <i>Ginkgo biloba</i> extract, and L-carnitine can improve cognitive function of human subjects complaining amnesia. A before-after study was done on 31 adult subjects comprising of 14 males and 17 females with an average age of 57.3±5.8 years who had symptoms of memory impairment. The Japanese version of ‘<b>R</b>epeatable <b>B</b>attery for the <b>A</b>ssessment of the <b>N</b>europsychological <b>S</b>tatus (RBANS)’ was utilized to evaluate cognitive functions of these subjects before and after the supplementation for 12 weeks. As a result, the placebo group showed no improvement of cognitive functions. In contrast, in the supplementation group, immediate memory (story), language (picture naming and semantic fluency), attention (digit span), and short-term memory (list, story and figure recall) were significantly improved. In conclusion, the present health food is useful for improving cognitive functions such as memory and attention.<br>