BSI Research Units

Herbal and Nutritional Medicine Research Unit

Introduction:

Established in 1999 the Herbal and Nutritional Medicine Research Unit (HNMRU) is dedicated to conducting high standard multidisciplinary research to examine the cognitive, behavioural and neural processes of commercially available natural medicines. Our team of researchers, psychologists, nurses, doctors and a naturopath encompasses a range of expertise and specialised skills enabling a multifaceted investigation of the effects of such therapies on the brain, our physical health and subjective feelings of wellbeing. We specialise in conducting high standard scientific research, which examines the quality, efficacy and safety of herbal and nutritional medicine. We also liaise with commercial sponsors in testing their products and develop a rigorous scientific method appropriate to those aims. We present our research at conferences, to the wider consuming community and health professionals in a familiar and acceptable scientific format.

Previously the HNMRU has conducted clinical trials investigating the effects of herbal and nutritional remedies on occupational stress, anxiety, depression, hangovers, cognitive functioning, healthy ageing and the immune system. Medicines examined in these trials include Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monniera (Brahmi), Vitamin B complexes, DHA, antioxidants including Pycnogenol®, rye extracts and St John's Wort, amongst many others. Current research is focused principally on Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), healthy ageing, and smoking cessation. We also carry out comparison trials where the efficacy of various brands of the same natural medicine product is explored. Testing modalities include EEG, SSPT, Cognitive Drug Research (CDR), various neuropsychological measures, and biological parameters (eg, blood samples).

Key Members:

Unit Leader: Professor Andrew Scholey

Biography

Andrew Scholey is Professor of Behavioural and Brain Sciences at the Brain Sciences Institute and head of their Herbal and Nutritional Medicine Research Unit. He is also co-director of the NICM Centre for the Study of Natural Medicines and Neurocognition. Andrew was at Northumbria University in the UK for fifteen years, in 1998 he established the Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit where he was director until taking up his present post in late 2007. He was also co-director of the Medicinal Plant Research Centre in the UK and remains as honorary director of their neurocognitive trials section.

Andrew has published dozens of journal articles focusing on the potential mood and cognition enhancing effects of natural products (often the first human trial). These have ranged from ‘metabolic’ interventions (notably glucose and oxygen), to low doses of alcohol and even drinking water (in thirsty individuals) and chewing gum. He has studied the neurocognitive effects of numerous plant extracts including ginkgo biloba, ginseng, lemon balm, caffeine, sage, valerian, guaraná, cocoa polyphenols and theanine.

Andrew’s current research uses state-of the-art methodology, including neurocognitive assessment, brain imaging and various physiological analyses to disentangle the neurocognitive effects of specific nutritional interventions (focussing on plant extracts) to enhance cognitive performance. The aim is to understand the mechanisms and apply natural medicines as safe treatments for conditions where cognition becomes fragile, including ageing and dementia. Andrew has served on various scientific committees and is committed to the public dissemination of science which has led to many appearances in the print, radio and television media.

Research Interests

• Neurocognitive and mood effects of nutrition and nutraceuticals
• Cognition enhancing and anti-stress effects of natural medicines
• Blood glucose and cognitive function
• Neurocognitive effects of recreational drug use
• Use of novel platforms (internet, PDAs, mobile phone) for assessing mood state and cognitive performance

Professional Association Memberships

• British Psychological Society
• British Neuroscience Association
• British Association for Psychopharmacology

Consultant Activities

• Consultant/expert advisor to Nestlé, Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline Healthcare, Masterfoods, Danone, Bayer Healthcare, Novartis
• Advisory Panel member of Wrigley Science Institute
• Expert Advisor to International Life Sciences Institute expert committee on nutrition and mental performance
• Expert witness to UK Parliamentary Forum on Food and Health Inquiry on Diet and Behaviour

Name: Professor Con Stough
Role in Unit:

Con Stough is Professor of Neuopsychology at the Brain Sciences at the Brain Sciences Institute and Director of the NICM Centre for the Study of Natural Medicines and Neurocognition. Prof Stough is an expert in randomised clinical trials (RCTs) for natural medicines and has conducted a large number of RCTs on natural medicines such as Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa, DHA, St John's Wort, Vinpocetine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Huperzine A, anti-oxidants (Pycnogenol and Ropren) amongst many others.

Prof Stough has been a regular contributor to the alternative medicines area in Australia for the last 7 years. His background is in cognitive psychology and in psychopharmacology. Over the last few years he has completed large landmark studies using a range of anto-oxidants. He has built a strong team of researchers at Swinburne University which has lead to a capability to undertake and complete large efficacy trials and mechanistic trials associated with natural medicines and cognition and the brain. He has also developed strong collaborations with existing CAM researchers and mainstream medical researchers which allows a significantly enhanced capability to conduct natural medicine trials with clinical groups and with new methodologies such as neuroimaging and state of the art biochemical assays. Prof Stough has published important publications on chronic trials with natural medicines such as ginkgo and brahmi in high impact mainstream medical-pharmacology journals which are internationally accessible (e.g., International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychopharmacology). Over the last 7 years he has published more than 20 peer review papers on the results of RCTs from natural medicines, most of these involving chronic administration of anti-oxidants or natural medicines. Unlike many preliminary and open trials in the area of Complementary Medicine, Prof Stough's trials have all been trials using rigorous randomized control trial methodologies. Professor Stough has attracted more than 1 Million dollars in natural medicine grants from several Australian and international organizations and over 3M in research funds from other sources. He has held several (7) ARC and NHMRC grants over the last 10 years. He is an invited speaker to many national and international conferences in the area of natural medicines and is a regular educator of GPs, nurses and natural medicine practitioners in the area of his natural medicine trials. He is also a frequent contact for the Australian media in terms of the cognitive and neural effects of herbal medicines. His natural medicine trials are well cited and are often the first or one of the first to study the effects of chronic administration of natural medicines (e.g., Ginkgo or Bacopa) in the otherwise healthy and young. This work is then translated into trials assessing the cognitive effects of the same natural medicine in the otherwise healthy but elderly. This translational work allows us to understand whether a natural substance such as Ginkgo or Bacopa improves cognitive performance by nootropically improving otherwise functional neural systems or improves cognitive function by ameliorating decline in a neural system. Prof Stough has an international reputation in the area of cognitive intelligence.

He is on the board of the journal Intelligence and is the only Australian on the 6 member advisory panel of the International Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR). His work on intelligence focuses on the use of natural medicines and pharmaceuticals to improve cognitive performance. He has been working in this area with companies in the USA who formulate specific herbs and natural medicines to stimulate brain function. These formulations have been subjected to rigorous scientific assessment using RCT clinical trial methodologies in Stough's laboratory at Swinburne. Prof Stough's most significant contribution is to establish a highly visible and significant team of researchers at Swinburne in order to establish an international leading centre of research in the area of neurocognition and health. Prof Stough has recently secured a commitment of 5M in neuroimaging equipment from the university to establish an international program of research evaluating the neurocognitive effects of herbs and natural medicines. This is particularly salient given normal and abnormal age related cognitive changes that occur in our increasingly elderly population.

Name: Christina Kure
BAppSci - Pshycholgy/psychophysiology (SUT)
BHSci - Naturopathy (SSNT)
Role in Unit: Clinical Trials Coordinator

Christina is the clinical trials coordinator of the NICM Centre for the Study of Natural Medicines and Neurocognition and HNMRU. Her role as coordinator is to manage the day running of the clinical trials, assist in the supervision of the research assistants and medical team, and to ensure that the trials are run according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards. Christina holds bachelor degrees in Psychology/psychophysiology and Naturopathy and joined the HNMRU team in 2001, where she worked as a research assistant on various natural medicine trials including Pycnogenol, Ginkgo/Brahmi and Rye extract. During this time Christina also practiced as a naturopath in 2 Melbourne clinics. Christina has successfully coordinated ten randomised clinical trials over the last three years on natural medicines including St John's Wort, Vinpocetine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Huperzine A, Ginseng and Pine needle (Ropren).

Name: Vanessa Bilog
Role in Unit: PhD Scholar, Research Assistant

Vanessa Bilog is a research assistant at the HNMRU and a PhD scholar. Her PhD topic is examining the effects of a pine needle extract termed Ropren ® on the cognitive functioning of healthy elderly participants.

Name: Dave Camfield
Role in Unit: Research Assistant

Name: Amy Gibbs
Role in Unit: Research Assistant

Amy Gibbs holds a degree in Psychology with Honors from the University of Northumbria in the UK.  She has recently joined the research team and her role is to recruit for and conduct testing for the ongoing clinical trials.  The most recent trial she has worked on has examined the herbal extract Ginseng and its effect on cognition.  She hopes to go onto Clinical Psychology when back in the UK next year.

Name: Marni Kras
Role in Unit: Research Assistant

Marni Kras is a research assistant at the HNMRU at the Brain Sciences Institute. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology/Psychophysiology, followed by a post-graduate diploma in Psychology at Swinburne University. Marni has taken part in a number of studies including the cognitive effects of an antioxidant in an elderly sample and age-related cognitive changes using a newly developed computerised cognitive test battery. Marni is particularly interested in the cognitive and mood effects of herbal interventions and is currently working on a number of projects investigating herbs such as Lemon Balm, Ginseng and St John’s Wort.

Name: Karen Nolidin
Role in Unit: Research Assistant

Karen is a research assistant and is currently involved in studies investigating the role of glucoregulatory processes in the cognition-enhancing effects of ginseng, and examining the effects of St John’s Wort and nicotine patches in isolation and combination on smoking cessation.

Name: Anastasia Ossoukhova
Role in Unit: PhD Scholar

Anastasia Ossoukhova is a PhD student at the HNMRU at the BSI. She attained her degree in Psychology (with First Degree Honors) Major in Psychophysiology at Moscow State University in Russia.  She has worked as a qualified psychologist for different scientific and educational institutions in Russia. Anastasia has taken part in the studies of effects of administering anti-oxidant Ropren on neuro-cognitive and mood changes as a research assistant at the BSI. She is currently researching the role of glucoregulatory processes in the cognition-enhancing effects of selected botanicals.

Name: Bonnie
Role in Unit: Research Assistant

Bonnie Esposito holds a degree in psychophysiology with honours from Swinburne University and is currently studying a Juris Doctor in Law at the University of Melbourne. During her honours she examined the effects of noradrenaline and serotonin on the loudness dependence of the auditory evoked potential. She is extremely interested in the working of the brain and how it affects behaviour. Currently she is preparing to examine the effects of the herb lemon balm on cognitive function. This will be her final stint in science before she starts working at a commercial law firm next March.

Medical Team

Name: Jenny Lloyd
BAppSci- Psych/Psychophys (Hons)RN
PhD Scholar (Clinical Psychology)
Role in Unit: Research Nurse

Jenny Lloyd holds a science degree and is a registered nurse with over 6 years experience in Randomised Clinical Trials related to natural medicines and is responsible for taking bloods and assisting with medical examinations.

Name: Dr Edward Ogden and Dr Foti Blaher
Role in Unit: General Practitioners

Our general practitioners are responsible for conducting medical assessments to determine individual suitability to participate in our studies and manage adverse side effects.

Current Research Projects:

Awards and Grants

• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UK): ‘Factors affecting glucose enhancement of cognitive performance’
• British Psychological Society Research Seminars Competition: ‘Exploring the nutrition-behaviour axis’
• Naturex: ‘The role of glucoregulatory processes in the cognition-enhancing effects of selected botanicals’
• Cognis: ‘Assessing anti-stress effects of lemon balm-containing foods’
• Barry Callebaut: ‘A study of the acute and chronic cognitive, neurocognitive & blood flow effects of polyphenols in middle aged volunteers’
• Wrigley: ‘Factors influencing mood and cognitive effects of chewing gum’
• National Institute of Complementary Medicine Collaborative Centre for the Study of Natural Medicines and Neurocognition in Health and Disease (CI-B)

Assessing anti-stress, cognitive and mood effects of lemon balm-containing foods
Investigators: Professor Andrew Scholey, Professor Con Stough, Ms Christina Kure, Ms Vanessa Bilog, Ms Marni Kras

Assessing the efficacy of Remotiv ® (Ze117), nicotine patches and combination of Remotiv ®/ nicotine patches for smoking cessation
Investigators: Professor Con Stough, Professor Andrew Scholey, Ms Christina Kure, Ms Vanessa Bilog, Ms Marni Kras

The role of glucoregulatory processes in the cognition-enhancing effects of selected botanicals
Investigators: Professor Andrew Scholey, Professor Con Stough, Ms Christina Kure, Ms Vanessa Bilog, Ms Marni Kras

Previous Research Projects

Examining the neuro-cognitive, mood and brain EEG effects of 12 week administration of Pine Needle extract, Ropren on healthy elderly participants (aged 60-85years)
Investigators: Professor Ms Vanessa Bilog, Con Stough, Dr Andrew Pipingas, Ms Christina Kure,

A clinical trial comparing St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and Nicotine replacement in the Management of Smoking Cessation.
Investigators: Professor Con Stough, Ms Christina Kure, Ms Joanne Tarasuik

A placebo controlled, double-blind study of the effect of two natural nutritional formulations, Procera-AVH TM and Procera-AVH Plus TM on cognitive function, memory, energy, state of mind and mood in healthy participants (aged 35-65years)
Investigators: Professor Con Stough, Dr Andrew Pipingas, Ms Christina Kure,

Grants received:

2008

NICM Collaborative Centre in for the study of natural medicines and neurocognition in health and disease to receive funding from NICM

Industry Support:

• Naturex (USA)
• Cognis Ltd (Germany)
• Flordis Pty Ltd (AUS)
• Barry Callebaut (Switzerland)
  

2007

Donation by: Trawella Ltd -Mr Alan and Mrs Carol Schwartz
Project: To support research in the area of herbal medicine and cognitive functioning.

2006

Donation by: People First Retirement Estates - Mr Ted and Mrs Grace Sent
Project: To support research in the area of healthy ageing.

Donation by: Swinburne University of Technology
Project: To support research in the area of healthy ageing.

2006

Industry Support: Solagran Pty Ltd
Project Title: to examine the neuro-cogntive, mood and brain EEG effects of a 12 week administration of Pine needle extract, Ropren (anti-oxidant) on healthy elderly participants.
Investigators: Professor Con Stough, Dr Andrew Pipingas, Christina Kure, Vanessa Bilog, Jo Tarasuik and Anastasia Hamilton-Presgrave

Industry Support: 20/20 Brain Power Ltd and BriteAge Ltd
Project Title: A double-blind, placebo controlled study examining the effects of Acetyl-l-carnitine, Vinpocetine, Huperzine A and Rhodiola Rosea on cognition cognitive function, energy, state-of-mind and mood in health participants.
Investigators: Professor Con Stough, Christina Kure and Joanne Tarasuik

Industry Support: Flordis Herbal Medicines
Project Title: A clinical trial comparing St John's wort special extract Ze 117 and Nicotine replacement in the Management of Smoking Cessation
Investigators: Professor Con Stough, Christina Kure and Joanne Tarasuik

2001

Industry Support: Clover Corporation
Project Title: 90 day DHA supplementation and cognitive functioning
Investigators: Professor Con Stough

2000-2001

Industry Support: Schumacker Pharmaceuticals
Project Title: Examining the Pharmaco-EEG profile of a rye extract
Investigators: Professor Con Stough, Pradeep Nathan

Industry Support: Schumacker Pharmaceuticals
Project Title: Immune system changes following 30 day Rye extract treatment
Investigators: Professor Con Stough, Pradeep Nathan

Industry Support: Keenmind Ltd
Project Title: The effects of chronic administration of bacopa monierra on neuropsychological functioning
Investigators: Professor Con Stough, Pradeep Nathan

1998- 2001

Industry Support: Blackmores Australia

Project Title: Examining the effect of short term administration of combined Brahmi/Ginkgo extract on neuropsychological functioning

Project Title: Pharmaco-EEG study on different hypericum extracts.

Project Title: Examining the efficacy of a Vitamin B complex for Occupational Stress.

Project Title: Pharmaco-EEG study on different hypericum extracts.
Investigators: Professor Con Stough & Pradeep Nathan

Project Title: Effects of Ginkgo biloba administration on cognition: A pilot study.
Investigators: Professor Richard Silberstein, Professor Con Stough & Pradeep Nathan

Work with Community and Affiliates:

The NHMRU is dedicated to disseminate our research results to the general public and health practitioners. We contribute to regular newsletters articles and have presented our research to hospitals including Barwon Health.

Key Publications:

Publications Include

Scholey AB, Tildesley NTJ, Ballard CG, Wesnes KA, Tasker A, Perry EK, Kennedy DO (2008) An extract of Salvia (sage) with anticholinesterase properties improves memory and attention in healthy older volunteers. Psychopharmacology 198,127–139.

Haskell CF, Scholey AB, Jackson PA, Elliot JM, DeFeyter MA, Greer J, Robertson BC, Buchanan T, Tiplady B, Kennedy DO (2008) Cognitive and mood effects in healthy children during 12 weeks supplementation of multi-vitamin/minerals. British Journal of Nutrition (In press).

Scholey AB, Parrott A, Kennedy DO (2007) Psychotropic Medicine. In Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health & Medicine (Ed. Ayers S). 685-687.

Kennedy DO, Scholey AB (2006) The psychopharmacology of European herbs with cognition enhancing properties. Current Pharmaceutical Design 12, 4613-4623.

Scholey AB, Laing S, Kennedy DO (2006) Blood glucose changes and memory: effects of manipulating emotionality and mental effort. Biological Psychology 71, 12-19.

Reay JL, Kennedy DO, Scholey AB (2006) Effects of Panax ginseng, consumed with and without glucose, on blood glucose levels and cognitive performance during sustained ‘mentally demanding’ tasks. Journal of Psychopharmacology 20, 771-781.

Ellis KA, Stough C, Vitetta L, Heinrich K, Nathan PJ. (2001). An investigation into the acute nootropic effects of Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's Wort) in healthy human volunteers. Behav Pharmacol. Jun;12(3):173-82.

Maher, B. F. G., Stough, C., Shelmerdine, A., Wesnes, K. Nathan, P. J. (2002). The acute effects of combined administration of Ginkgo biloba and Bacopa monniera on cognitive function in humans. Human Psychopharmacology Clinical & Experimental, 17(3), 163-164.

Nathan PJ, Clarke J, Lloyd J, Hutchison CW, Downey L, Stough C. (2001). The acute effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy normal subjects. Hum Psychopharmacol. Jun;16(4):345-351.  

Nathan, P.J., Ricketts, E., Wesnes, K., Mrazek, L., Greville, W., & Stough, C. (2002). The acute nootropic effects of Ginkgo biloba in healthy older human subjects: a preliminary investigation. Human Psychopharmacology, 17, 45-49.

Nathan PJ, Tanner S, Lloyd J, Harrison B, Curran L, Oliver C, Stough C. (2004). Effects of a combined extract of Ginkgo biloba and Bacopa monniera on cognitive function in healthy humans. Hum Psychopharmacol Mar;19, 2: 91-6.  

Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J, Downey LA, Hutchison CW, Rodgers T, Nathan PJ. (2001). The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology (Berl). Aug;156(4):481- 483

Stough C, Clarke J, Lloyd J, Nathan PJ. Neuropsychological changes after 30-day Ginkgo biloba administration in healthy participants. (2001) Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. Jun;4(2):131-4 

Timoshanko A, Stough C, Vitetta L, Nathan PJ. (2001). A preliminary investigation on the acute pharmacodynamic effects of hypericum on cognitive and psychomotor performance. Behav Pharmacol. Dec;12(8):635-40.

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