JP2020038157A - Method for evaluating inhibitory effect of green tea ingredient against reduction in cognitive function caused by work load - Google Patents

Abstract

To easily and efficiently evaluate the effectiveness of a sample against reduction in a cognitive function caused by a work load and then, to promote the design and development of a product containing a green tea component as an active ingredient.SOLUTION: At least one of a stroop test, an expression recognition test and a 4 part continuous treatment test in a cognitrax test is adopted as a predetermined evaluation test, the predetermined evaluation test is performed on a subject to whom a predetermined work load is applied, and a sample containing a green tea ingredient is taken into the subject for at least 2 weeks. The predetermined evaluation test is again performed on the subject after taking the sample, and by comparing results of the predetermined evaluation test before and after ingestion of the sample, an inhibitory effect due to a green tea component is evaluated against reduction in a cognitive function caused by a work load.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for evaluating the effect of suppressing green tea components on cognitive decline caused by work load, which is useful in product design of foods and drinks using green tea materials that are expected to suppress cognitive decline caused by work load.

  Tea catechins contained in green tea are reported to be effective in preventing heart disease and cancer, and as the health effects of tea catechins become clearer, active intake of tea catechins is spreading. Along with this, beverages having an increased content of tea catechin are distributed on the market. In addition, due to an increase in health consciousness, various functional components contained in tea extracts such as catechins are in high demand as components for health foods and supplements.

  In recent years, as the population ages, aging-related cognitive dysfunction of the brain has become a social problem, and various studies have been conducted on foods, ingredients, and the like that are effective in preventing or improving cognitive dysfunction. In addition, attention has been paid to the younger generations that cognitive functions such as memory and attention are temporarily reduced due to stress and fatigue. A decrease in human cognitive function can be diagnosed by a cognitive function test (screening test), and various cognitive function tests have been proposed. Therefore, in the evaluation of the cognitive function, an appropriate test is appropriately selected from known cognitive function tests and performed according to the purpose of the test. Patent Literature 1 proposes to improve cognitive function using a composition containing docosahexaenoic acid, uridine, and the like, and describes that a mini-mental state test is used as a standard test for evaluating cognitive ability. I have. Patent Literature 2 below describes various secondary measurements as a test for measuring the improvement of mild cognitive impairment by administration of docosahexaenoic acid.

JP 2014-534226 A JP 2015-143248 A

  The cognitive function test includes tests for very various items, and it is considered that a more precise test can be performed by performing tests on various types of items. However, if inspections are performed uniformly for various types of items, it takes time and effort, and time is required. In addition, in studies of the efficacy of oral intake of foods and drinks, etc., the period of ingestion until the effectiveness is evident tends to be longer, so from the viewpoint of product development, testing should be made as efficient as possible. desired.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an evaluation method capable of efficiently evaluating the suppression effect of a green tea component on cognitive decline due to a workload, thereby suppressing a temporary cognitive decline. The purpose is to support the design and development of products as active ingredients.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have conducted intensive studies and found that the test period (ingestion period) required until the effect of the green tea component appears in a cognitive function test tends to differ depending on the test item. The present invention has been completed by making use of this, making it possible to construct a simple test and efficiently evaluate the effect of suppressing cognitive decline.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for evaluating the inhibitory effect of a green tea component on cognitive decline associated with a workload includes at least one of a Stroop test, a facial expression recognition test, and a 4-part continuous processing test in a cognitive track test. Is adopted as a predetermined evaluation test, the predetermined evaluation test is performed on a subject who has given a predetermined work load, and at least two weeks, the subject ingests a sample containing a green tea component, and after the sample has been ingested. For the subject, after the predetermined workload is given, the predetermined evaluation test is performed again, and the effect of suppressing cognitive decline due to the workload is compared by comparing the results of the predetermined evaluation test before and after ingestion of the sample. The point is to evaluate.

  The predetermined workload may be provided by performing a Uchida-Kraepelin mental test. Furthermore, the effect of suppressing cognitive decline due to workload may be evaluated by comparing the results of the Uchida-Kraepelin psychological test before and after ingestion of the sample.

  In the above evaluation method, the subject can be caused to ingest the sample such that the intake amount of the green tea component is 2.0 g / day. The age of the subject is preferably 20 to 50 years. The subject can be selected based on the score of the cognitive track test. As the subject, it is preferable to select a person who has a high number of wrong answers in a linguistic memory test, a visual memory test, a Stroop test, and a 4-part continuous processing test of the Cognitive Lux test.

  According to the evaluation method of the present application, it is possible to easily and efficiently evaluate the effectiveness of a sample with respect to cognitive decline due to workload, and to support the design of a product for suppressing cognitive decline using green tea as an active ingredient. , Can promote development. As a result, an excellent green tea component-containing product can be provided simply and at an appropriate cost.

  It is known that even a healthy young person who has no impairment in cognitive function causes a decrease in cognitive function due to stress or fatigue caused by a work load. Such a decrease in cognitive function due to the workload reduces memory, attention, judgment, working memory, and the like, and causes a problem in work efficiency. Therefore, it is desired to suppress a decrease in cognitive function.

  Green tea leaves contain various components, in addition to hydrophilic components that can be ingested as beverages, also include lipophilic components obtained as extracts, and insoluble or hardly soluble components such as fibers that constitute tea leaves. It is. Extensive basic research is required to elucidate the mechanism of action of one component on cognitive functions (mental functions). Moreover, in the ingestion of green tea components as foods and drinks, not only the components expected to be effective at the present time, but also various components contained in the green tea leaves as described above, the effect of suppressing cognitive decline can be obtained. There is a possibility, and the effect of a combination of a plurality of components is also conceivable. From these facts, it is reasonable to examine the cognitive function of the subject before and after ingesting the sample containing the green tea component, and determine the effectiveness of the sample based on a comparison of the results before and after the ingestion. .

  Providing green tea-related foods to the market in a highly effective form is significant in terms of health and medical care. However, the quality of green tea leaves varies depending on the varieties of tea leaves, cultivation method, plucking time, processing conditions, and the like, and the component content also varies in various ways. Also, there is a difference in the absorption of the components depending on the form of intake of the food or drink. In such a situation, in order to accurately select raw materials and design a product, it is important to quickly evaluate the effect of suppressing cognitive decline.

  Diagnosis of cognitive function can be made by a cognitive function test (screening test), and various cognitive function tests have been proposed. Representative cognitive function tests include the revised Hasegawa-style simplified intelligence evaluation scale (HDS-R) and the mini mental state test (MMSE). In addition to these, MoCA-J (Japanese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment), Mini-Cog, CANTAB VRM, PRM, SOC, SWM, DASC-21 (dementia assessment sheet in community-based comprehensive care system), Cognitrax There are also tests such as

  Cognitive functions range from memory, judgment, orientation, language skills, and executive functions. For this reason, cognitive function tests as described above include various test items related to characters, figures, colors, time, place, etc., and tests are conducted on thinking, reasoning, judgment, adaptation, problem solving, etc. You. The present inventors have conducted a survey using a cognitive function test for the effect of suppressing the cognitive decline caused by the green tea component. As a result, the period during which the effect of the green tea component appeared was different depending on the test items. That is, by selecting a specific test item, it is possible to shorten the inspection period for determining whether or not there is an effect.

  In the present application, a specific test item is selected from the test items included in the cognitive function test, and the cognitive function test of the subject is performed for the selected test. Thereby, the inspection period can be shortened to about four weeks. Generally, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of a specific ingredient by a cognitive function test, considering that a test period of about several months to half a year, and in some cases about one year can be set, shortening the test period requires product design. It is very advantageous in proceeding. Therefore, the time required for product development can be reduced by using the method for evaluating the effect of suppressing the green tea component on cognitive decline in the present application when designing a product containing the green tea component. That is, it is useful as a simple evaluation method for supporting product design. Hereinafter, a method for evaluating the effect of suppressing the green tea component on cognitive decline due to the workload will be specifically described.

  In the method for evaluating the effect of suppressing the green tea component on cognitive decline, a specific test included in the cognitive track test is used as a predetermined evaluation test for evaluation. Therefore, by performing a specific test of the cognitive track test on a subject who has been given a workload, the cognitive function of the subject that has been reduced by the workload is evaluated. The Cognitive Trax test was developed by CNS Vital Signs in the United States based on existing cognitive function tests and includes the following 10 tests. These tests can be used to measure a wide range of functional areas, such as memory, attention, processing speed, and execution functions.The results are measured values such as the number of answers, the number of wrong answers, and the reaction time. It is indicated by the standardized score calculated by comparing with the standard value.

1) Verbal Memory (VBM): A test related to language learning, word storage, and word recognition. The memory function of words is measured by a response for finding a displayed word from a new word group. A test is performed immediately after storage and after a certain period of time, to evaluate short-term memory and long-term memory.
2) Visual Memory Test (VIM): A test on visual learning, memory of geometric shapes, and recognition of geometric shapes. The memory recognition function of a figure is measured by a response for finding a previously displayed figure from a new figure group. A test is performed immediately after storage and after a certain period of time, to evaluate short-term memory and long-term memory.
3) Finger tapping test (FTT): A test relating to movement speed and fine movement control. Measure the number of keystrokes with your index finger.
4) SDC test (Symbol Digit Coding): A test for information processing speed, complex attention, and visual perception speed. Based on the symbol-number correspondence table, the ability to respond to the number corresponding to the symbol is measured.
5) Stroop Test (ST): A test related to execution function, simple or complex reaction speed, compromise between speed and accuracy, information processing speed, suppression or disinhibition. Based on the meaning and color of the characters, the speed and accuracy of responding to the displayed characters according to the conditions are measured.
6) Attention shift test (SAT: Shifting Attention): Test related to execution function, reaction speed, information processing speed, and speed-accuracy trade-off. Based on the shape and color of the geometric figure, it measures the speed and accuracy of responding according to randomly changing conditions.
7) Continuous processing test (CPT): A test related to continuous attention, selective reaction speed, and impulsivity. Measures the duration of attention over time in response to text display.
8) Expression recognition test (POET: Perception of Emotions): Test on social cognitive brain, emotional judgment, and choice reaction time. A measure of the match between the displayed facial expression and the emotion is measured.
9) Logical thinking test (or non-verbal logical thinking test, NVRT: Non-Verbal Reasoning): A test on theoretical assembly, theoretical cognitive ability and recognition speed. From the three figures drawn in the three sections, a figure to be put into one vacant section is inferred, and the result is used to measure the understanding of information, the inference power, and the cognitive power of conceptual relationships.
10) 4-Part Continuous Performance (FPCPT): A test for continuous attention and working memory. Measure the simple response speed and long-lasting response to the display of the figure, and the storage of the already displayed figure.

  After performing a cognitive function test on a subject by giving a workload, the subject is ingested a sample containing a green tea component, and during the ingestion period, a cognitive function test after the workload is repeatedly performed on the subject. In addition, changes over time in the cognitive function of the subject due to ingestion of the sample can be examined. That is, the correlation between the sample intake period and the cognitive function of the subject can be known, and the effect of suppressing the decrease in cognitive function due to the sample intake can be measured. When the cognitive tracing test is used to examine the temporal change in cognitive function of a subject due to the ingestion of a sample, the temporal change in cognitive function tends to differ depending on the type of test. In other words, the intake period during which the effect of improving the cognitive function by the green tea component is manifested differs depending on the type of test.

  Among the above 10 tests, the Stroop test, the facial expression recognition test and the 4-part continuous processing test show that suppression of cognitive decline can be observed after ingestion for about 2 weeks, and that the other tests show an inhibitory effect. Is difficult. As described above, the selection of the test to be performed affects the efficiency of evaluating the sample by the cognitive function test.Therefore, if the test to be adopted is appropriately selected, the effectiveness of the sample is efficiently determined, and the food and beverage product is evaluated. Can be reflected in the design.

  In the evaluation method of the inhibitory effect of the green tea component on cognitive decline in the present application, in order to evaluate the sample efficiently through ingestion by the subject, as a predetermined evaluation test, the above-described Stroop test of the cognitive track test, facial expression recognition test and Employ at least one of the four part persistence tests. A plurality of tests may be selected as the predetermined evaluation test. If the number of selected tests is large, the material for judging the validity of the sample is large. A predetermined evaluation test adopted for the subject after the work load is applied is performed, whereby the cognitive function reduced by the work load is evaluated. It should be noted that the above-described test is considered to be possible to be substituted by another test having a similar evaluation content, and does not exclude replacement by an existing test and a test to be developed in the future.

  The work load applied to the subject before performing the predetermined evaluation test may be a work load that performs a certain work related to the cognitive function. For example, various tests and tests generally used as an aptitude test and a performance test can be used, and examples include an SPI test, a ball-box, CAB, GAB, SCOA, TAP, and Uchida-Kraepelin mental test. Alternatively, application software or the like provided as a skill training game may be used.

  As described above, the sample intake period and the predetermined evaluation test are determined and the sample is provided to the subject, and the subject starts to ingest the sample containing the green tea component, and ingests the sample over the above period. The subject is a person who can evaluate the effect of suppressing cognitive decline, and a healthy non-elderly person is selected in advance. In order to eliminate cognitive dysfunction due to aging, the age of the subject is preferably 20 to 50 years, preferably 25 years or more and less than 35 years, and a worker whose lifestyle is stable is desirable. When selecting a subject, screening by the Cognitive Lux test may be performed in advance, and a person with a relatively high number of wrong answers may be selected as the subject. If a person with a high total number of wrong answers, wrong responses, and missed correct answers in the linguistic memory test, the visual memory test, the Stroop test, and the 4-part continuous processing test is selected, it is easy to evaluate the test results.

  Regarding the intake of the sample, it is preferable that the subjects are divided into the group to which the sample is administered and the group to which the placebo is administered, and a control test is performed by a single-blind method or a double-blind method. In this case, the number of subjects is generally about 6 or more, preferably about 10 to 50. In addition, in allocating the subjects, the subjects should be kept as little as possible in the sample administration group and the placebo administration group in the age, gender, MMSE score, height, weight average value and standard deviation of the subjects as much as possible. It is desirable.

  The subject selected in accordance with the above is administered the sample ingestion period determined above, the sample or the placebo. It is advisable to perform a two-group parallel test so that there is no difference due to the difference in the intake period (time). The subject is provided with the sample (or placebo) and allowed to ingest the subject under constant ingestion conditions for at least four weeks.

  The content of the sample taken by the subject and the conditions for taking the sample can be appropriately set according to the design concept of the food and drink product. Therefore, a sample is prepared based on the composition of the tea component determined based on the product design. The sample provided to the subject is ingested under the determined constant ingestion conditions. As intake conditions, the number of times of intake and the time of daily intake (relationship with morning / afternoon, morning / day / night, meals), daily intake and daily intake, and those that can be taken simultaneously ( Water, etc.) type and amount are set. The size and content of the sample (component composition) and the number of samples per ingestion are determined so that the subject can ingest it without difficulty. Generally, intake conditions can be set such that the daily intake of green tea components (green tea extract, green tea leaf powder) is about 40 mg to 10 g. Normally, it is preferable to set the intake condition such that a green tea component of about 2 g is consumed per day. For example, the intake condition is set such that the green tea component is ingested once a day in the morning. be able to. It is preferable to prepare a sample in a form that is easy to ingest based on the set ingestion conditions.

  The sample can be prepared and provided as a capsule or a tablet such as a tablet or a pill. The tablet is preferably in a form such as a sugar-coated tablet that can prevent the taste of the contents from being tasted. Capsules generally used for pharmaceuticals and the like may be used, and either hard capsules or soft capsules can be used. Hard capsules can be prepared, for example, by filling a sample into a capsule coating formed using gelatin, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, or the like, and, if necessary, adding a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to the capsule. It may be added. A soft capsule is obtained by sandwiching a sample with a sheet material in which a plasticizer such as glycerin is added to gelatin, and press-molding the sample. As the excipient, a solid excipient generally used for a pharmaceutical preparation may be used. For example, starch such as corn starch, wheat flour, rice flour and the like, lactose, sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol, saccharides such as sucrose, dextrin, precipitated silica, gelatin, cellulose, methylcellulose and the like can be mentioned. As for the placebo, instead of the green tea component, the excipient may be colored green with a coloring agent such as a gardenia pigment. In addition, seasonings, flavors, and the like may be added to the sample and placebo in a pharmaceutically acceptable range so that the green tea component cannot be distinguished.

  The green tea component to be blended into the sample when preparing the sample in the form as described above may be any of green tea leaves, green tea extract and extraction residue, powder, coarse particles, liquid, gel and viscous fluid It can be used in such forms. The sample can be formed by adding the green tea component to the excipient, and the blending form and amount of the green tea component can be appropriately set according to the set intake conditions. Further, if necessary, commonly used materials such as pharmaceutically acceptable additives may be added.

The components contained in green tea leaves include a water-soluble component, a hydrophobic (lipophilic) component, and an insoluble or poorly soluble component. Examples of the water-soluble component include catechins (catechin (C), gallocatechin (GC), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) and complex tannin there flavonols, caffeine, water-soluble vitamins, such as complex polysaccharides, vitamins B _2, and vitamin C, theanine, .gamma.-aminobutyric acid, saponin, soluble dietary fiber (pectin), minerals and the like. Examples of the lipophilic component include β-carotene, vitamin E, and chlorophyll, and examples of the insoluble or hardly soluble component include insoluble dietary fiber, protein, and mineral. In the case of shade-covered tea, the content of epigallocatechin gallate and theanine is high. The green tea component as described above contains a large number of components having an antioxidant function and useful for suppressing aging, and usefulness of catechins in controlling cancer is reported. Also, the effects of caffeine and saponin on the central nervous system are known.

  The digestion and absorption of such green tea components can vary depending on the conditions in which they are ingested. For example, a lipophilic component is relatively easily absorbed in the coexistence of fats and oils, and the decomposition of the easily degradable component may be suppressed by fibers or fats or the like having an inclusive function or a film forming ability. That is, digestion and absorption at the time of ingestion differ depending on the state of the green tea component in the prepared sample, which may affect the effect of improving cognitive function. For example, there may be a difference in the expression of the effect between the powdered tea and the tea extract. Therefore, consideration of the above points in sample preparation and analysis of evaluation results can help elucidate the mechanism of action.

  When the sample (or a placebo containing no green tea component) has been consumed by the subject during the set intake period, the subject after the sample has been taken is given a work load, and a predetermined evaluation test is performed again. Get the result of Then, by comparing the results of the evaluation test before and after ingestion of the sample, it is determined whether or not there is an inhibitory effect on cognitive decline caused by the work load. Thereby, the effectiveness of the green tea component contained in the sample ingested by the subject is evaluated, and based on this evaluation, in the design of the green tea component-containing product for the purpose of suppressing cognitive decline, confirm or change the direction. You can proceed.

  The evaluation items in the ten tests of the Cognitive Lux test differ in their associated brain functions. In the Cognitive Lux test, the duration of ingestion in which the effect of suppressing the cognitive decline caused by green tea components tends to differ depending on the type of test, and the difference in the ingestion period in which the effects appear is due to the mechanism by which green tea components affect brain function. It is thought to be related to That is, this is considered to be a unique property in the use of the green tea component. In the Stroop test, the facial expression recognition test, and the four-part continuous processing test, the effect of the green tea component can be evaluated by ingesting for about two weeks. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the effectiveness of the sample based on the evaluation in these tests. Test time can be shortened.

  The manifestation of the effect of the green tea component is slightly different depending on the sex and age of the subject, and the tendency is different depending on the evaluation test. Therefore, when there is a bias in the composition of the subject, it is preferable to consider that point in selecting a predetermined evaluation test and evaluating test results.

  When the suitability test or the ability test as described above is used as the workload, the results of such a test or the test can be used for evaluating cognitive function. In a proper test or a performance test, if a change in performance due to work progress such as a work curve is obtained, a decrease in cognitive function due to a work load can be obtained based on the change. Therefore, the effect of suppressing cognitive decline can be evaluated by comparing the results before and after ingestion of the sample.

  When a green tea material such as matcha is used in the production of food or beverage to be heated, the green tea component undergoes thermal deterioration. When a sample is prepared using such a product and supplied to a subject, the evaluation method of the present application can be applied to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the green tea component in the product on cognitive decline. Therefore, it can be used as a means for evaluating the manufacturing conditions of a product and improving the manufacturing process.

  It has been found that when hormones released by stress act in the brain, cognitive functions decrease due to nerve cell damage and the like. There are reports that the risk of developing dementia after 30 years is 1.5 times higher for stress-sensitive people due to the effects of stress such as work. Therefore, suppressing cognitive decline due to workload is an effective means to prevent the occurrence of dementia, and shortening the time required to evaluate the effect of suppressing cognitive decline is simply a matter of product. It is important not only to support and promote design, but also to prevent dementia.

  A randomized, double-blind, two-group, parallel-group comparative study was performed as follows to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the green tea component on cognitive decline due to workload.

<Preparation of sample and placebo>
As a green tea component, matcha (trade name: Hojin-no-White, theanine content: 2.4% by mass, EGCG content: 5.3% by mass, total amount of eight catechins: 8.4% by mass, caffeine-containing Amount: 3.5% by mass). 2 g of matcha is added to 0.6 g of excipient (mixture of partially pregelatinized starch, dextrin, calcium stearate, fine silicon dioxide) and mixed, and this mixture is equally divided and filled into 9 gelatin capsules. Thereby, a sample of one intake was prepared.
In addition, a gardenia pigment was added to 2 g of the excipient (same as above) to give a green color, and this was equally divided and filled into nine gelatin capsules to prepare a single-dose placebo.

<Selection of subjects>
Sixty-six healthy male and female (25 to 35 years old) workers were screened for four tests, a linguistic memory test, a visual memory test, a Stroop test, and a 4-part continuous processing test of the Cognitive Lax test. Forty-two persons were selected in descending order of the number of incorrect answers in the four tests, and selected as subjects to be subjected to the following evaluation methods. The number of incorrect answers in the four tests is the number of incorrect answers in the linguistic memory test (immediate + delay), the number of incorrect answers in the visual memory test (immediate + delay), the number of incorrect responses in the Stroop test, and the number of errors in the 4-part continuous processing test. It was calculated as the sum of the number of incorrect responses (total of parts 1 to 4) and the number of overlooked correct answers (total of parts 1 to 4). The reaction time is the sum of the reaction time in the Stroop test, the average correct response time (total of parts 1 to 4) and the average incorrect response time (total of parts 1 to 4) in the 4-part continuous processing test (unit: millisecond). ) Was calculated. Height, weight, pulse and blood pressure of 42 subjects were measured, and subject background survey and interview were conducted. In addition, 42 subjects were divided into two groups using the average age, sex ratio, and the number of false responses in the Cognitive Lax test as allocation factors, and a sample group and a placebo group were each composed of 21 subjects. Based on this group composition, the following evaluation test was performed by ITT (Intent To Treat) analysis. The composition of the subjects in each group is described in Table 1.

<Evaluation inspection>
The subjects in the sample group and the placebo group were given a workload by performing a Uchida-Kraepelin mental test (15 minutes × 2 sets = 30 minutes), and then subjected to 10 tests of a cognitive track test (provided by CNS Vital Signs). To assess cognitive function. The content of each test is as follows. Regarding the results of each test, the number of responses is represented by the average value ± standard deviation between subjects, and the reaction time is represented by the average value ± standard deviation between subjects calculated from the response time per response of each subject. Before and after the workload and evaluation tests, the following awareness surveys are conducted.

[Visual memory test]
Fifteen figures are displayed on the screen at a rate of one every two seconds. Thereafter, the existing figures are displayed together with new 15 figures, and the existing figures are answered. The number of correct answers of a predetermined number of tests (the required time is about 3 minutes) is measured.

[Stroop test]
(1) Words (red, blue, yellow) are randomly displayed in black, and a response is made as soon as the display is seen, and the time required for a predetermined number of responses (simple response time [milliseconds]) is measured. (2) Words (red, blue, yellow, green) are randomly displayed in color, and a response is made only when the word display color matches the meaning of the word or only when the meaning does not match. In a predetermined number of tests (time required about 5 minutes), the number of erroneous responses (Stroop erroneous reactions) is measured.

[Attention shift test]
One figure (circle, triangle) is displayed at the top of the screen and two at the bottom (color is red or blue at random), and responds by selecting the same figure or display of the same color as the top display from the bottom . The number of correct answers and incorrect answers in a predetermined number of tests (required time: about 3 minutes) and the reaction time (correct answer time [ms]) in the correct answer are measured.

[Expression recognition test]
A response is made as to whether the facial expression displayed on the screen matches the emotion displayed below. In a two minute test, the reaction time [milliseconds] is measured. The number of correct responses and the reaction time in each case of the positive response and the negative response, the total of the number of correct responses of the positive and negative reactions, the average total of the correct response time, the number of missed correct responses, and the total of the incorrect responses are calculated.

[Non-verbal logic thinking test]
From the figures displayed in three of the four sections of the screen, a figure to be put into an empty section is inferred, and a response is made by selecting from options. Measure the number of correct responses and false responses in the 3.5 minute test.

[4 part sustained processing test]
(1) Part 1: While characters are displayed randomly on the screen, if a specific character is displayed, an immediate response is made, the response time [millisecond] in the correct response is measured, and the average value is calculated. (2) Part 2: While a figure is displayed on the screen at random, an immediate response is made when a specific figure is displayed, the response time in the correct answer is measured, and the average value is calculated. (3) While the figures are displayed randomly on the screen, if the previous figure is displayed, an immediate response is made, the response time in the correct answer is measured, and the average value is calculated. (4) While the figures are displayed randomly on the screen, if the previous figure is displayed, an immediate response is made, the response time in the correct answer is measured, and the average value is calculated.

[Continuous processing test]
While a particular character is displayed on the screen at random, an immediate response is made when a particular character is displayed, the number of erroneous reactions in a predetermined test (required time: about 5 minutes) is measured, and an average value is calculated.

[Linguistic memory test]
Fifteen words are displayed on the screen at a rate of one every two seconds. Thereafter, the existing words are displayed together with the new 15 words, and the existing words are answered. The number of correct answers of a predetermined number of tests (the required time is about 3 minutes) is measured.

[Finger tapping test]
Hit the key with your right index finger as fast as possible for 10 seconds. After one practice, perform three times, and repeat the same work with the index finger of the left hand. The number of times the key is hit is measured, and an average of three times is obtained.

[SDC test]
At the top of the screen, a table is displayed in which eight symbols are associated with eight numbers, and at the bottom of the screen, a table having eight symbols and blank spaces is displayed. According to the correspondence relationship in the upper table, the response time [millisecond] in the work of filling in the blanks with the numbers corresponding to the respective symbols in the lower table is measured, and the correct answer and error of a predetermined number of tests (the required time is about 4 minutes) are measured. Check the number of answers and the reaction time.

(Awareness survey)
For each of the following nine questions from each subject, 1) to 5) were answered by VAS (Visual Analog Scale) method [unit: mm], and 6) to 9) were answered by five-step evaluation Was.
1) Are you tired?
2) Did you feel tired when you got up?
3) Can you focus on things?
4) Can you think clearly?
5) Is there energy (willingness to do things)?
6) Did you get tired from a little exercise or work?
7) During your work, have you ever felt that you couldn't concentrate on things?
8) During your work, have you ever felt that the speed of thinking has decreased?
9) When working, was it difficult to think clearly about things?

<Evaluation of sample intake and effectiveness>
The samples or placebos described above were provided to each subject in the sample and placebo groups, and nine samples (or placebos) were taken once daily in the morning and continued for two weeks. After the ingestion period, as described above, an interview, physical measurement, and vital sign measurement were performed, and a work load was given by the Uchida-Kraepelin mental test (30 minutes). Ten tests were performed again to evaluate cognitive function. Evaluation is based on t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. An awareness survey is conducted before and after the workload and evaluation tests. Table 2 shows the results in which the effect was observed in the test results. In the table, “SCR” means “screening”, and “ns” means “no significant difference”.

  In the results of the Cognitive Lux test, in the sample group, a decrease in the reaction time in the Stroop test is observed, and a tendency in the number of correct answer hits in the positive response in the facial expression recognition test is observed. In the 4-part sustained test, a reduction in reaction time is seen. In other tests, no significantly different results were obtained.

  The tests shown in Table 2 are suitable for short-term sample evaluation, and the period of sample administration to a subject may be set to at least two weeks.

  As for the results of the facial expression recognition test, if the evaluations in the sample group and the placebo group are respectively described by gender, the results shown in Table 3 are obtained. On the other hand, a Uchida-Kraepelin mental test conducted for the purpose of giving a workload can also evaluate a decrease in cognitive function associated with the workload. Therefore, when the results of the sample group and the placebo group in the Uchida-Kraepelin mental test are similarly shown by gender, the results shown in Table 4 are obtained.

  In the classification by gender in Table 3, effectiveness is recognized in evaluation in women. In contrast, the Uchida-Kraepelin Psychiatric Test has shown efficacy in male evaluations. From the difference in effectiveness according to gender, it is considered that the green tea component acts on cognitive functions related to the physiological difference according to gender.

  In addition, the results of the finger tapping test, sustained processing test, facial expression recognition test, non-verbal logic thinking test, and 4-part sustained processing test of the cognitive track test are displayed according to the age group at the age of 30 as shown in Table 5. Become.

  According to Table 5, in subjects under the age of 30 years, efficacy is seen in the continuous treatment test. On the other hand, in subjects aged 30 and over, the effectiveness was recognized in the finger tapping test, the facial expression recognition test, the non-verbal logic thinking test, and the 4-part continuous processing test.

  For this reason, specifying the test items has significance in evaluating the effectiveness of the green tea component.

  Supports the design of products containing green tea as an active ingredient, which is useful for suppressing cognitive decline due to workload, and promotes product development. And contribute to the prevention of dementia.

Claims (7)

Employing at least one of a Stroop test, a facial expression recognition test, and a four-part continuous processing test in the Cognitive Lux test as a predetermined evaluation test;
Perform the predetermined evaluation test on a subject who has given a predetermined workload,
Allowing the subject to ingest the sample containing the green tea component for at least two weeks,
For the subject after ingesting the sample, the predetermined evaluation test is performed again after giving the predetermined workload,
A method for evaluating the inhibitory effect of a green tea component on cognitive decline caused by a workload by evaluating the inhibitory effect of a cognitive decline associated with a workload by comparing the results of the predetermined evaluation test before and after ingestion of a sample.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined workload is provided by performing a Uchida-Kraepelin psychological test.   Furthermore, suppression of the green tea component against cognitive decline caused by workload is evaluated by comparing the results of the Uchida-Kraepelin psychological test before and after ingestion of the sample, based on the comparison of the cognitive decline caused by workload. How to evaluate the effect.   The evaluation of the inhibitory effect of the green tea component on cognitive decline caused by a work load according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the subject is caused to ingest the sample so that the intake amount of the green tea component is 2.0 g / day. Method.   5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject is 20 to 50 years of age.   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the subject is selected based on a score of a score obtained by a cognitive track test.   The green tea component for cognitive decline due to a workload according to claim 6, wherein a person who has a high number of wrong answers in a linguistic memory test, a visual memory test, a Stroop test, and a four-part continuous processing test of the cognitive track test is selected as the subject. Method for evaluating the effect of suppressing odor.