Effects of creatine supplementation on cerebral white matter in competitive sportsmen

Objectives: To determine the neurobiochemical sequelae of oral creatine monohydrate supplementation in active athletes.

Design/Participants: Eighteen sportsmen underwent single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the deep frontal cerebral white matter before and after 5 days of oral ingestion: 12 of 18 swallowed 4 x 5 g creatine monohydrate per day, and the remaining swallowed a placebo.

Main Outcome Measurements: Creatine, choline, and N-acetyl spectral resonances were evaluated at both long (135 ms) and short (20 ms) echo times.

Results: A mixed-design factorial ANOVA demonstrated no interaction over time in any of the measures (P at least 0.081).

Conclusions: The results suggest that, for the given dosage regimen, ingested creatine augmentation does not alter the magnetic resonance visible creatine pool in the deep frontal cerebral white matter of young active sportsmen.