Effects of Korean Red Ginseng on White Matter Microstructure and Cognitive Functions: A Focus on Intrusion Errors

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Although ginseng has been reported to protect neuronal cells and improve various cognitive functions, relationship between ginseng supplementation and response inhibition, one of the important cognitive domains has not been explored. In addition, effects of ginseng on in vivo human brain have not been investigated using the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The purpose of the current study is to investigate changes in intrusion errors and white matter microstructure after Korean Red Ginseng supplementation using standardized neuropsychological tests and DTI. METHODS: Fifty-one healthy participants were randomly allocated to the Korean Red Ginseng (n = 26) or placebo (n = 25) groups for 8 weeks. The California Verbal Learning Test was used to assess the number of intrusion errors. Intelligence quotient (IQ) was measured with the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. The fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured from the brain DTI data. RESULTS: After the 8-week intervention, Korean Red Ginseng supplementation significantly reduced intrusion errors after adjusting age, sex, IQ, and baseline score of the intrusion errors (p for interaction = 0.005). Change in FA values in the left anterior corona radiata was greater in the Korean Red Ginseng group compared to the placebo group (t = 4.29, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Korean Red Ginseng supplementation may be efficacious for improving response inhibition and white matter microstructure integrity in the prefrontal cortex.