Age-related changes of cognitive performance Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Conditions
Interventions
Participants were randomized to consume daily for 8 weeks a drink containing 993 mg, 520 mg or 48 mg of cocoa flavanols
Sponsors
Mars, Incorporated (USA)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Subjects aged 60 years or more who reported themselves as unconcerned about their own memory functions and having no clinically significant co-existing medical conditions.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Clinically significant co-existing medical conditions, including: 1.1. Known cardiovascular disease 1.2. Cerebrovascular events 1.3. Obesity or weight change ±10% body weight within the last 6 months before entering 1.4. Thyroid disorders 1.5. Inflammatory diseases 1.6. Neurological disorders 1.7. Dementia 1.8. Depression 2. Current smokers 3. Habitual users of antioxidant supplements 4. Habitual consumers of chocolate or other cocoa products 5. Individuals prescribed medications known to have antioxidant properties or to interfere with cognitive functions
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Main outcome measures examined were changes in cognitive function following 8 weeks of regular cocoa flavanol consumption. Cognitive testing was performed using a combination of four well validated standardized tests: Mini Mental State Examination, Trail Making Test A and B and verbal fluency test. As predefined procedure, an integrated measure of overall cognitive function - composite cognitive z-score - was also constructed for each participant | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Secondary outcome measures examined included: 1. Changes in blood pressure 2. Metabolic parameters 3. Plasma isoprostanes and markers of lipid peroxidation These were assessed at 8 week together with neuropsychological evaluation | — |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed