EW0245 Cognitive outcomes of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction (BPF) supplementation in schizophrenia: Preliminary data

Background Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia significantly affect illness and community outcomes, and quality of life. Several studies support the neuroprotective properties of polyphenolic compounds resulting in neuronal protection, suppression of neuroinflammation and the potential to promote memory, learning and cognitive functions. Bergamot differs from other citrus fruits for flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides composition (neoeriocitrin, neohesperidin, naringin, rutin, neodesmina, roifolina and poncirina), and for their high amount. For these features, BPF may represent a potential supplement for improving cognitive functions. Aims The present study was aimed to explore the efficacy of BPF supplementation on clinical symptoms andcognitive functioning in a sample of schizophrenic subjects receiving atypical antipsychotics (APs). Methods Ten schizophrenic outpatients treated with atypical APs assumed BPF at the oral daily dose of 1000 mg/day for 30 days. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Verbal Fluency Task-Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Stroop Color-Word Test were administered. Results The results obtained indicate that BPF administration substantially improved WCST performances (perseverative responses, P = 0.008; perseverative errors, P = 0.012; total errors, P = 0.011; categories, P = 0.023). Moreover, a trend for others clinical (BPRS) and cognitive variables (Verbal Fluency Task-Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Stroop Color-Word Test) decrease was observed. Conclusions The findings provide evidence that BPF administration may be proposed as an effective therapeutic strategy to improve cognitive outcome in schizophrenia. Further clinical trials with adequately powered and well-designed methodology are needed to better explore the BPF effectiveness on cognitive impairments in schizophrenic patients. Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.