Neurocognitive decline represents a growing public health concern, with limited disease-modifying therapeutic options currently available. Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound derived from Curcuma longa, has attracted interest due to its proposed neuroprotective properties, however, translating experimental findings into consistent clinical benefits remains uncertain. This narrative review synthesises mechanistic, preclinical, and clinical evidence examining the role of curcumin in neurocognitive health and highlights key translational challenges. Experimental studies demonstrate modulation of oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory signalling, amyloid aggregation, and neurotrophic pathways, supporting biological plausibility. Preclinical models frequently report improvements in learning and memory, though effects often occur at exposure levels not readily achievable in humans. Clinical evidence remains heterogeneous and influenced by formulation, bioavailability, dosage, intervention duration, and cognitive assessment methods. Conventional curcumin preparations generally show limited cognitive benefit, whereas selected trials using enhanced-bioavailability formulations report modest improvements, primarily in non-demented older adults. Curcumin supplementation is generally well tolerated, although long-term safety data remain limited. Overall, despite compelling mechanistic rationale, current clinical evidence is insufficient to support routine use of curcumin for neurocognitive enhancement or treatment of neurodegenerative disease, underscoring the need for rigorously designed trials using standardised formulations and robust cognitive and biomarker-based outcomes.
S et al. (2026) studied this question.