Creatine and Cognition in Aging: A Systematic Review of Evidence in Older Adults.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review including randomized controlled trials and cross-sectional studies
PubMed 40971619 · doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuaf135
What was done
Authors searched eight databases for peer-reviewed studies examining the independent relationship between creatine intake or supplementation and cognitive function in older adults (aged 55+). Studies combining creatine with other interventions like resistance training were excluded. Methodological quality was assessed with a modified Downs and Black checklist.
What was found
Six studies totaling 1,542 participants (55.7% female) met inclusion criteria: two double-blind intervention trials using creatine monohydrate and four cross-sectional dietary recall studies. Five of six studies (83.3%) found a positive relationship with cognition, mainly in memory and attention domains. Methodological quality was rated good in one study, fair in two, and poor in three. The abstract did not report quantitative effect sizes or point estimates.
Why it matters
This review isolates the potential cognitive effects of creatine alone in older adults without exercise co-interventions, highlighting memory and attention as primary domains of interest for future targeted trials.
Limits
The evidence base is very small and dominated by cross-sectional dietary recall designs (four of six studies), with only two randomized intervention trials. Half the studies were rated poor quality, and the abstract provides no specific numerical effect estimates, dosages, or objective brain creatine biomarkers.
Cited by
- partial Creatine supplementation has been shown to have beneficial effects on age-related muscle loss, strength loss, bone loss, and brain atrophy in older adults.