A study of the effects of latent iron deficiency on measures of cognition: a pilot randomised controlled trial of iron supplementation in young women.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the suitability of the IntegNeuro test battery for assessing cognitive function in iron-deficient young women and evaluate the impact of iron supplementation on cognitive performance.
Results Summary
Iron-deficient participants who showed improvement in plasma ferritin levels had significantly greater changes in Impulsivity and Attention scores compared to non-improvers. The study suggested that between 26 and 84 participants per group would be needed for a sufficiently powered extension trial.
Population
Iron-deficient (serum ferritin ≤ 20 μg/L and hemoglobin > 120 g/L) and iron-sufficient young women aged 18-35 years.
Effective Dosage
60 mg or 80 mg elemental iron daily.
Duration
16 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iron treatment | increase | Memory and Attention scores | iron-deficient participants | - | differences in | #1 |
iron treatment | increase | Memory and Attention scores | iron-deficient participants on iron treatment | - | differences in | #2 |
placebo | no change | Memory and Attention scores | iron-deficient participants on placebo | - | differences in | #3 |
daily iron supplements | increase | plasma ferritin | plasma ferritin improvers | - | change scores for Impulsivity and Attention were significantly greater in | #4 |
daily iron supplements | no change | plasma ferritin | non-improvers | - | change scores for Impulsivity and Attention were significantly greater in | #5 |
Rates of iron deficiency are high amongst healthy young women. Cognitive impairment occurs secondary to iron deficiency in infants and children, but evaluation of the impact on cognition among young women is inconsistent. The aim was to determine the suitability of the IntegNeuro test battery for assessing cognitive function in iron-deficient and iron-sufficient young women. A pilot double-blinded, placebo-controlled intervention trial was conducted in iron-deficient (serum ferritin ≤ 20 μg/L and haemoglobin > 120 g/L) and iron-sufficient young women (18-35 years). Cognitive function and haematological markers of iron status were measured at baseline and follow-up. Iron-deficient participants (n = 24) were randomised to receive placebo, 60 mg or 80 mg elemental iron daily supplements for 16 weeks. A control group of iron-sufficient participants (n = 8) was allocated to placebo. Change scores for Impulsivity and Attention were significantly greater in plasma ferritin improvers than in non-improvers (p = 0.004, p = 0.026). IntegNeuro was easy to administer and acceptable to young women. Based on the differences in Memory and Attention scores between iron-deficient participants on iron treatment and those on placebo, it was decided that between 26 and 84 participants would be required in each iron treatment group for an adequately powered extension of this pilot RCT.