Carnosine sharpened cognitive speed in younger adults over 12 weeks — but showed no benefit in older age groups, and failed to improve memory, attention, or overall speed scores across the whole trial.
This is one of the first randomized trials to test carnosine for cognition in healthy adults, and while it found a signal in the 23–35 age range, the null result in older participants and on multiple other cognitive measures means the overall picture is far from settled — don't treat this as a proven brain booster.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Carnosine for Improved Cognitive Speed — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
Carnosine supplementation improves cognitive outcomes in younger participants of the NEAT trial.
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- n = 299
- 2025-03
- Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.