Brain Aging
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to determine if increased blueberry intake helps increase brain antioxidant (glutathione) and cerebral blood flow in older adults.
Detailed description
Consuming blueberries may improve brain health of older adults by increasing the antioxidant levels in the brain to protect nerve cells in the aging brain. Researchers think that there may be a relationship between the brain's antioxidant defense system and blueberry intake due to the high antioxidant content in blueberries. This study will investigate if blueberry intake may aid in enhancing glutathione levels and cerebral blood flow using special Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Participants will be asked to make a total of up to 4 visits to the research site. Participation will last about 3 months.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTIntervention
26 g packets of freeze-dried blueberries (equivalent to 1 cup of fresh blueberries) will be given to participants to be consumed daily. Participants will be asked to consume 1 packet per day for 3 months.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTControl
26 g packets of isocaloric carbohydrate-matched powder will be given to participants to be consumed daily. Participants will be asked to consume 1 packet/day for 3 months.
Sponsors
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
University of Kansas Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to 89 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Speak English as the primary language and be able to read and write. * Good general health with no concomitant diseases * Low berry consumption (≤1 serving/week) * Cognitively normal (Mini-Mental State Exam Score ≥24) * BMI range=18.5-35 kg/m2.
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of any central neurological diseases or prior major head trauma with loss of consciousness * Presence of an active unstable and life-threatening systemic illness * Presence of major psychiatric disorders within the past 3 years including depression, anxiety, and alcohol or drug abuse * Presence of diabetes mellitus; metabolic syndrome or uncontrolled hypertension * Use of psychoactive and investigational medications * MRI contraindications (pacemaker, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, metal fragments, foreign objects or claustrophobia) * Blueberry or salicylate allergy * Pregnancy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in brain glutathione (GSH) levels | Change from baseline to 3 months | Measure of brain GSH with a 3 T MRI scanner |
| Change in cerebral blood flow (CBF) | Change from baseline to 3 months | Measure of CBF with a 3 T MRI scanner |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed