Cognitive Aging
Conditions
Brief summary
Blueberries are rich in flavonoids that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which in rodent models are neuro-protective. The risk of developing dementia is reduced in people habitually consuming high flavonoid intakes, but data from human intervention studies is sparse. We therefore investigated whether 12 weeks of blueberry concentrate supplementation improved cognitive function in healthy elderly via increased brain activation and perfusion.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTBlueberry
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo
Sponsors
University of Exeter
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* aged 60-80y * Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III questionnaire \> 88 * Consuming 5 or less portions of fruit per day
Exclusion criteria
Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III questionnaire \< 88 Contraindications for MRI Consuming more than 5 portions of fruit per day
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Brain perfusion | Change from baseline to 12 weeks dietary supplementation | MRI - arterial spin labelling |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Brain activation | Change from baseline to 12 weeks dietary supplementation | fMRI whilst performing modified Stroop task |
| Cognitive function tests | Change from baseline to 12 weeks dietary supplementation | Cogstate battery of tests |
| Blood biomarkers of inflammation | Change from baseline to 12 weeks dietary supplementation | CRP, IL6, |
| Blood biomarkers of oxidative stress | Change from baseline to 12 weeks dietary supplementation | protein carbonyls, glutathione |
| Blood biomarkers of neurogenesis | Change from baseline to 12 weeks dietary supplementation | BDNF |
Outcome results
None listed