## 3 Results
### Clinical Trial Results
#### 3.5.2 ADAS-Cog Test  
The ADAS-Cog test was also assessed at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks of intake (Figure 9). At baseline, it was observed that the subjects were healthy regarding cognitive levels, with average values below 17 (values above 17 indicate cognitive impairment) [18]. Intragroup analysis revealed that the placebo group did not present any significant differences with respect to baseline. On the other hand, the experimental product, at both doses, revealed significant improvements. Specifically, the 250 mg dose revealed a significant improvement compared to baseline at 12 weeks of intake, while the 400 mg dose significantly improved ADAS-Cog scores at both 6 and 12 weeks. With respect to the intergroup analysis, at week 12, it was observed that the groups consuming the experimental product presented significantly lower results than the placebo. No significant difference was observed comparing the 250 mg and 400 mg dose. Therefore, this suggests that the product at either dose can help improve this test after 12 weeks of intake.  
The ADAS-Cog questionnaire analyzes three types of memory, subdivided into a total of eleven items: memory and new learning (word recall, orientation, word recognition, remembering test instructions), language (commands, spoken language ability, naming objects, word-finding difficulty, comprehension) and praxis (constructional and ideational).  
When analyzing the three types of memory, it was revealed that the product significantly improved language skills (after 6 weeks of intake) and praxis (after 12 weeks of intake) when compared to the placebo group (Figure 10). No significant effect vs. placebo was detected in the memory and learning category.  
An analysis of each individual item was also performed (Table 4). Briefly, there were several items where all study groups significantly improved over time, with no difference among the groups: orientation, spoken language ability, word-finding difficulty, comprehension and naming objects/fingers. Also, there were certain items where the experimental groups improved throughout time, but the placebo group remained unchanged: word recall (both 250 mg and 400 mg at week 6, only 400 mg at week 12), word recognition (250 mg only, week 6) and commands (both doses at week 6, only 250 mg at week 12).  
The items with intergroup differences were word recall (both 250 mg and 400 mg at week 12) and commands (both 250 mg and 400 mg at week 6). Also, a significant improvement was observed in constructional praxis at week 12 when comparing the nootropic at the 400 mg dose vs. 250 mg.  
Therefore, overall, the results of the ADAS-Cog test reveal that both 250 mg and 400 mg contribute to significantly improving the global score after 12 weeks of intake compared to the placebo. Compared to the baseline, both doses revealed significant improvements, with a dose-dependent response. Regarding the types of memory, both doses seem to significantly improve language (at week 12) and praxis (at week 6) compared to the placebo. As for the analysis of the individual items, both doses contribute to improving the word recall item of the memory and learning category (at week 12) and the command item in the language category (at week 6) when compared to the placebo. Word recall (both doses), word recognition (250 mg only) and commands (both doses) significantly improved versus baseline values in the experimental groups.  
Figure 9: ADAS-Cog Scores. \({}^{**}p<0.01\), \({}^{***}p<0.001\), \(\dagger p<0.05\) vs. placebo.  
Figure 10: ADAS-Cog subscores. \(\dagger p<0.05\) vs. placebo.