Paraxanthine outperforms caffeine as a cognitive enhancer in new preclinical study

Published: 20-Jan-2025

The caffeine metabolite enhanced focus and memory better in both young and aged rats compared with caffeine, while also heightening the release of key neurotransmitters

A novel preclinical study published in Experimental Brain Research has found that paraxanthine outperforms caffeine as a cognition-boosting ingredient.

The study — which utilised TSI Group's enfinity as a source of paraxanthine — found that the nutraceutical could promote the release of key neurotransmitters and other important neurochemicals, while also supporting a user's focus and memory. 

These findings support the sentiment that paraxanthine is a key metabolite involved in caffeine's stimulant effects, which has been suggested in previous human clinical trials. 

 

Removing undesirable side effects

Caffeine is a naturally-occurring plant alkaloid that has a stimulant effect on the body, and can be found in a plethora of popular drinks such as tea and coffee.

Although it is an extremely popular option amongst the global population, its consumption can cause some users unwanted side effects, such as 'the jitters' or energy slumps. 

Therefore, TSI Group wanted to test if enfinity, its pure caffeine metabolite ingredient would outperform traditional caffeine as a cognitive enhancer. 

To achieve this, a group of 64 young and aged rats were allocated into groups, all of which would receive either a low or high dose of caffeine or paraxanthine, respectively.

 

Boosting memory and focus with paraxanthine

After 11 days of oral supplementation with either caffeine or paraxanthine, researchers tested the cognitive abilities of the rats involved by subjecting them to a Morris water maze test — which is commonly used to study spatial memory and learning.

Results found that the animal models given both the low and high dose of paraxanthine were able to escape the water maze up to 60% quicker than the control group.

This was also seen in the group given a high dose of caffeine.

Notably, in the young cohort, a high dose of paraxanthine proved 14% more effective as a cognitive enhancer than a high caffeine dose; this effect was mirrored in older individuals, with those given the high dose exhibiting a 12% increase in spatial memory.

 

Neurochemical shifts via paraxanthine intake

Throughout this study, researchers also looked into the impacts of paraxanthine intake on neurotransmitters and other key neurochemicals.

In the animals given high doses of caffeine and paraxanthine cGMP, catalase and BDNF levels were all increased — though this effect was seeen more strongly in those given paraxanthine. 

The younger cohort also experienced an increase in all neuromodulators bar β-amyloid. 

When assessing neurotransmitter levels, researchers found that a high paraxanthine intake could also heighten acetylcholine, dopamine and glutathione levels.

“The data suggest that caffeine’s effect on BDNF may be dependent on paraxanthine, as 70% of caffeine is metabolised into this metabolite,” comments Wells. “The increase in BDNF provides a potential mechanism of action for the observed benefits in the human study, improving cognitive function under challenging conditions by enhancing neuroplasticity.”

 

Paraxanthine proves beneficial in all age groups

Notably, researchers found that paraxanthine can exhibit its positive effects regardless of age. 

Researcher and enfinity energy Partner Ralf Jäger, commented: “As we age, our cognition is no longer at its peak, making us vulnerable to age-related cognitive decline. Because of this phenomenon, older animal models were an ideal subject group for studying potential improvements brought about by paraxanthine supplementation." 

"However," he continued, "in younger individuals, cognition is already at its best, so seeing significant improvements to an already well-functioning system is quite surprising."

This finding highlights the potential of paraxanthine as a caffeine replacement in individuals of all ages, suggesting that it may be better suited to cognition-focused supplement formulations. 

“Not only did PX significantly improve cognitive performance, it also showed significant improvements compared with the control and caffeine groups in several key markers,” noted Ralf.

“These included markers of oxidative stress (catalase, glutathione), indicators of long-term brain health (beta-amyloid) and neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, dopamine, GABA) in the brain.”

 

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