Brain Injuries, Cognitive Decline, Nutrition, Healthy
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will test whether consuming blueberry powder 20g/d for 24 weeks can improve memory and other cognitive function and alter serum biomarkers of brain injury among older adults.
Detailed description
In a randomized, double-blind placebo, controlled design, the investigators will test the effects of 20 g/d of blueberry powder for 24 weeks on cognitive function and serum biomarkers of brain injury among older adults.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTBlueberry powder
20 g per day of blueberry powder
OTHERControlled and matched powder
20 g per day
Sponsors
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to 99 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 65-99 years * Able to travel to Brigham and Women's Hospital for 4 clinic visits
Exclusion criteria
* Known allergies to blueberries * Unable to abstain from blueberry consumption during the study period * Inability to provide informed consent * Planned major surgery during study period or recent major surgery up to 3 months before recruitment * Organ transplant * Plan to move out of greater Boston area during the study period * Diagnosis of dementia, severe cognitive decline, end-stage renal disease, substance abuse, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, major cancer excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, and schizophrenia.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in plasma concentration of neurofilament light (NFL) between baseline and 24 weeks | Baseline and at 24 weeks after the intervention | Change will be calculated as difference between plasma NFL concentration measured at 24 weeks and NFL concentration measured at baseline. |
| Change in plasma concentration of phosphorylated tau (pTau-181) between baseline and 24 weeks | Baseline and at 24 weeks post intervention | Change will be calculated as difference between plasma pTau-181 concentration measured at 24 weeks and plasma concentration of pTau-181 measured at baseline |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in plasma concentration of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAB) between baseline and 24 weeks | Baseline and at 24 weeks post intervention | Change will be calculated as difference between plasma concentration of GFAB measured at 24 weeks and plasma GFAB concentration measured at baseline |
| Change in concentration of serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) between baseline and 24 weeks | Baseline and 24 weeks post intervention | Change will be computed as difference between serum concentration of NEFA measured at 24 weeks and serum NEFA concentration measured at baseline |
| Change in cognitive battery test score between baseline and 24 weeks post intervention | Baseline and at 24 weeks post intervention | The investigators will use CANTAB (computer-based and interactive software) to complete 8 cognitive battery tests including a) Motor screening task; b) Reaction time; c) Paired associates learning; d) Spatial working memory; e) Pattern recognition memory; f) Delayed matching to sample; g) Rapid visual information processing; and h) Match to sample visual search. The computer automatically calculates a composite score from these 8 tests (a-h) and the investigators will define change in cognitive battery test score as difference in composite score between 24 weeks and baseline. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed