The effect of caffeine and choline on short-term memory

This study sought to determine whether caffeine combined with choline could improve short-term memory in healthy adults. The study tested the effect of choline (2 gm) alone and in combination with several concentrations of caffeine (25 mg, 50mg and 100mg) on short-term verbal and visual memory and attention. The Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning-2 was utilized. Choline 2 gm + caffeine 25 mg group showed significantly (p<0.05) higher overall memory performance whereas memory performance in the choline 2 gm + caffeine 50 mg group was significantly impaired compared to placebo. The data suggest that specific combinations of caffeine and choline can either facilitate or impair short-term memory in adults with normal cognitive function. Future studies of caffeine and choline combinations will test memory performance in subjects with memory impairment.