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The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of phosphatidylserine (PS) on cognition and cortical activity after mental stress. After familiarization, 16 healthy subjects completed cognitive tasks after induced stress in a test-re-test design (T1 and T2). Directly after T1, subjects were assigned double-blind to either PS or placebo groups followed by T2 after 42 days. At T1 and T2, cortical activity was measured at baseline and immediately after stress with cognitive tasks using electro-encephalography (EEG). EEG was recorded at 17 electrode positions and fast Fourier transforms (FFT) determined power at Theta, Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta-1 and Beta-2. Statistics were calculated using ANOVA (group x trial x time). The main finding of the study was that chronic supplementation of phosphatidylserine significantly decreases Beta-1 power in right hemispheric frontal brain regions (F8; P < 0.05) before and after induced stress. The results for Beta-1 power in the PS group were connected to a more relaxed state compared to the controls.

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In a pilot study at 14 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and left-ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular enddiastolic volume [LVEDV] > or = 100 ml), who actively participated in an ambulatory cardiac sports group, left ventricular endsystolic volume (LVESV), LVEDV and duration of exercise were analyzed by echocardiographic and ergometric tests. An initial workup was followed by a 4 week double blind treatment phase, in which magnesium orotate 3 x 1 g or placebo was given additionally to medication taken prior to the study. At the end of this phase a concluding workup was performed. Magnesium orotate decreased significantly (p = 0.016) LVESV, increased significantly (p = 0.035) EF, decreased in tendency (p = 0.054) LVEDV and increased significantly (p = 0.011) exercise duration. The study gives references to favourable effects of oral magnesium orotate to left ventricular function and exercise tolerance in patients with CHD.

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To determine the effect of a taurine-enriched drink "Red Bull" on performance, 10 endurance-athletes performed three trials. After 60 min. cycling at approximately 70% VO2 max, the subjects pedalled to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. During each exercise, the subjects received 500 ml of a test-drink after 30 min. submaximal cycling: "Red Bull" without taurine, without glucuronolacton (U1), "Red Bull" without taurine, without glucuronolacton, without caffeine (U2) and "Red Bull" original drink containing taurine, glucuronolacton and caffeine (U3).The heart rate level was significantly lower in U3 (p = 0,0031) 15 min. after application. The plasma catecholamines increased slightly from begin of exercise to 15 min. after application of the drinks in all trials but remained on a significantly lower level in U3 (epinephrine (p = 0,0011) and norepinephrine (p = 0,0003). Endurance time was significantly longer with "Red Bull" original in U3 (p = 0,015). The results of this study show a positive effect of a taurine-containing drink on hormonal responses which leads to a higher performance.

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Phase standard deviation (SD) and skew characteristics of the first Fourier harmonic of equilibrium radionuclide volume curves were examined and compared during rest and during supine bicycle exercise with ejection fraction (EF) changes and the development of ischemia in 17 control subjects and in 2 groups of patients (n = 57) with coronary artery disease (CAD). Group I comprised 37 patients with CAD; IA was a subgroup of 20 patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI) and IB a subgroup of 17 patients with CAD without MI (all with coronary stenosis greater than 75% diameter narrowing). Group II comprised 20 patients with CAD who had undergone coronary bypass surgery. In the Group I subjects, phase SD was the most sensitive indicator of CAD at rest (Group I, 56%; Group IA, 70%, and Group IB, 29%), and the EF was the most sensitive indicator at submaximal (Group I, 78%; Group IA, 86%, and Group IB, 64%) and maximal exercise (Group I, 70%; Group IA, 93%, and Group IB, 53%). When phase SD and skewness were combined with EF changes, little increase in sensitivity occurred in Group I (rest 61%, submaximal exercise 88% and maximal exercise 76%). The results from Group II subgroups were qualitatively similar to those observed with Group I subgroups. These data reveal a marginally improved sensitivity for detection of CAD during supine bicycle radionuclide ventriculography when phase measurements were added to changes in global EF values.

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