Curcumin and cognition
3 papers in the library, strongest Moderate.
Graded Moderate · Narrative review of randomized trials in adults, though results varied across formulations, doses and durations and no pooled analysis was done.
Papers 3
- Curcumin May Sharpen Memory and Attention, Especially in Older AdultsModerate2026Current pharmaceutical designCurcumin, the yellow compound in turmeric, keeps showing up in brain research for its anti-inflammatory effects. Looking across several human trials, it was linked to better memory, attention, and mood, mostly in older people. Special formulas made to absorb better seem to work best. Results vary a lot between studies, so this is still early.
- Curcumin and Ginger May Help Memory, But Not Other Brain FunctionsModeraten = 182026Frontiers in nutritionLooking at 18 trials, researchers found that compounds from the ginger family, including curcumin and turmeric, modestly improved memory in adults. The same compounds did not help with attention, executive function, or overall thinking. The authors caution the evidence is shaky due to small studies and big differences in how curcumin was prepared.
- How Curcumin Protects Brain Cells in Parkinson's Mouse ModelsPreliminaryn = 122026Molecular neurobiologyIn mice and cells made to mimic Parkinson's, curcumin protected the brain cells that make dopamine. It seems to work by switching on the cell's cleanup system, called autophagy. This helped block a copper-driven form of cell death. It's still lab work, but it points to how turmeric's active compound might guard aging brains.
How this map is computed
A mark's size is the number of papers we hold on that pairing. It is a count, not a weighting by study design or sample size.
The fill shows the strongest grade in the cell. One Strong paper among four Preliminary ones still fills it dark, so open the cell to see the rest.
Grades and verdicts are assigned by a named person, never by counting.
An empty cell is a finding: nobody in our library has run that trial yet.