Cognitive testing

There is an established link between our brain function and our eating patterns. We now know that hormones released in the gut by the consumption of food or drink can also act as neurotransmitters. We also know that changes in brain function can affect mental state and can influence cognitive function and performance.

In principle it should therefore be possible for a foodstuff to influence brain function in a manner that might enhance cognitive performance. The food industry has been increasingly interested in three main areas:

• Enhancing cognitive function in children
• Slowing cognitive decline in the elderly
• Enhancing cognitive function and positive mood through nutritional intervention for all groups

Hammersmith Food Research is able to offer a cognitive testing service by arrangement, in collaboration with Cognitive Drug Research Ltd, leading providers of automated cognitive function assessment. Their cognitive assessment system can be administered to a wide range of people and provides rapid, sensitive and reliable measurements of the core domains of cognitive function, which are:

• Concentration, alertness and sustained attention
• Verbal and visual memory
• Long-term memory
• Working memory
• Executive function
• Motor skills

For more information on the assessment system, go to the Cognitive Drug Research website.

For more information about our cognitive testing service, please contact us.