Power and Performance: Investigating Creatine’s Effects on Strength and Memory in Mice
Faculty Mentor
Karin Melkonian
Area of Research
Biology
Major
Biology
Description
INTRODUCTION: Creatine is a supplement used to increase strength and muscle function and has also been used to increase cognitive function. Creatine, in its many forms, can improve spatial awareness and long-term memory (Bharari et al., 2023) by producing more ATP in the surrounding somatic cells. In terms of muscle growth and athletic performance, creatine can increase phosphocreatine storage in muscle, which enables the body to rapidly regenerate ATP. This increase in ATP allows for more available energy in the body during high-intensity, short-duration training. Creatine allows for greater training volume, increased muscle mass, and faster recovery (Wax et al., 2021). Mice are commonly used model organisms due to their similarities to human physiology, allowing this study to produce results comparable to those displayed by humans.
METHOD: In this experiment, a control group (no creatine supplementation), as well as two experimental groups, received either a dose of creatine monohydrate (960 g/kg) or creatine hydrochloride (960 g/kg). The supplemented dose was three times the standard amount given to humans to compensate for their higher metabolic rates, since standard dosing showed minimal strength effects. To test the increased supplement’s effects, the mice were evaluated using methods such as the Novel Object Test and the Morris Water Maze to examine their cognitive and recall abilities, and the Rotarod, Hanging Weights, and Inverted Screen to examine their physical strength.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This study was intended to determine if both creatine monohydrate and hydrochloride improve strength, memory, and cognition. This study also seeks to determine which creatine type, if any, has a greater effect.
Power and Performance: Investigating Creatine’s Effects on Strength and Memory in Mice
INTRODUCTION: Creatine is a supplement used to increase strength and muscle function and has also been used to increase cognitive function. Creatine, in its many forms, can improve spatial awareness and long-term memory (Bharari et al., 2023) by producing more ATP in the surrounding somatic cells. In terms of muscle growth and athletic performance, creatine can increase phosphocreatine storage in muscle, which enables the body to rapidly regenerate ATP. This increase in ATP allows for more available energy in the body during high-intensity, short-duration training. Creatine allows for greater training volume, increased muscle mass, and faster recovery (Wax et al., 2021). Mice are commonly used model organisms due to their similarities to human physiology, allowing this study to produce results comparable to those displayed by humans.
METHOD: In this experiment, a control group (no creatine supplementation), as well as two experimental groups, received either a dose of creatine monohydrate (960 g/kg) or creatine hydrochloride (960 g/kg). The supplemented dose was three times the standard amount given to humans to compensate for their higher metabolic rates, since standard dosing showed minimal strength effects. To test the increased supplement’s effects, the mice were evaluated using methods such as the Novel Object Test and the Morris Water Maze to examine their cognitive and recall abilities, and the Rotarod, Hanging Weights, and Inverted Screen to examine their physical strength.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This study was intended to determine if both creatine monohydrate and hydrochloride improve strength, memory, and cognition. This study also seeks to determine which creatine type, if any, has a greater effect.