4. Discussion
inflammation, MCI, memory, cognitive functioning speed, reaction
INFLAMMATION
We investigated the effects of consuming a dairy beverage containing Cognitive function was assessed using Cognitrax, a computerized battery of neurocognitive tests developed for routine clinical screening applications. Cognitrax has been reported to have very similar characteristics to traditional psychological tests. It can measure a wide range of cognitive functions and is suitable for accurate assessment of scored cognitive functions because of its high sensitivity to discriminating between individuals with MCI and healthy individuals [The change in neurocognitive index domain scores from week 0 to week 12 was significantly higher in the active group than in the placebo group. The Neurocognitive Index domain score is calculated by averaging the scores from the total memory, cognitive functioning speed, reaction time, total attention, and cognitive flexibility domains, and is, therefore, used to assess a person’s overall neurocognitive status. Furthermore, intake of GCL2505 and inulin was associated with statistically significant improvements in scores in the complex attention, cognitive flexibility, and executive function domains. Total attention refers to the ability to process things accurately while maintaining attention. Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to understand and process changes in instructions. Executive function refers to the ability to make decisions based on an understanding of background rules and concepts. Thus, it is considered that intake of GCL2505 and inulin may contribute to improved activities of daily living by improving these functions.It is hypothesized that intake of GCL2505 and inulin improves cognitive function through a mechanism involving the following three steps. Step 1: Intake of GCL2505 and inulin improves the intestinal environment. In this study, the number of fecal bifidobacteria was significantly increased in the active group compared with the placebo group. It was reported that intake of GCL2505 increases the number of bifidobacteria in the feces and the concentration of acetic acid in the feces and blood [In this study, the changes in expression of 75 inflammation markers from week 0 to 12 were analyzed by principal component analysis and tested by permutational multivariate analysis of variance, but there were no statistically significant differences between the active and placebo groups (The results of the SF-36v2Just to be sure, no serious health problems have been reported as a result of the consumption of foods containing GCL2505. In addition, foods using 