Cognitive Function
Conditions
Keywords
lutein, zeaxanthin, macular pigment optical density (MPOD), macular pigment, eggs, cognition, cognitive performance
Brief summary
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the nutrients in eggs in healthy adult's cognitive performance. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How do the nutrients in eggs impact visual cognitive performance (VCP) in generally healthy older individuals? * Will omega-3 fatty acids in eggs improve VCP in generally healthy older individuals? Participants will be randomly placed in one of five dietary treatment groups, including four egg whites, two whole regular eggs, two whole omega-3 fortified eggs, four egg yolks, and a no-egg control. Blood will be drawn at baseline. During the first two weeks, participants will eat assigned eggs, consume their usual diet other than the eggs, and keep five food logs. Cognitive performance testing will start on day 15 and be measured over a 10-day period using the Neurotracker (NT) 3-D program. Data on ancillary factors influencing outcomes will be collected, and food will be logged on each NT training day. Blood will be drawn at the end of the study and compared with baseline levels.
Detailed description
Generally, healthy males or 2 years post-menopausal females between 50 and 75 years old will be recruited for this study. Potential subjects will communicate interest to researchers, and a standardized email with a consent form will be sent to persons of interest. Prospective participants will complete a preliminary questionnaire evaluating visual health to confirm inclusion criteria met, a study ID will be assigned. subjects will be randomly placed in a control group or one of four intervention groups: four egg whites, two whole regular eggs, two whole omega-3 eggs, and four egg yolks. Eggs will be provided to subjects based on their treatment groups; egg distribution will occur on days 1 and 15. Fifteen days of food logs, five days during the first 14 days of the study, and ten days of food logs each day the subjects train on the Neurotracker software. Food logs will be analyzed using Nutribase software. Two weeks after the commencement of the study (Day 15), cognitive performance testing will begin. This testing will be conducted over a 10-day period, consisting of 15 training sessions. The Neurotracker (NT) 3-D program will be used for these sessions. On each NT training day, a daily data questionnaire will be used to collect data on ancillary factors that may influence the outcomes of the study. Blood will be drawn at baseline, on day 15, and at the end of the study. Average nutrient intake and dietary patterns, baseline plasma draws, rate of change, and maximal performance on the NT software will be examined.
Interventions
OTHERegg whites
Participants will eat four egg whites daily for the 4-week study
OTHERwhole eggs
Participants will eat two eggs daily for the 4-week study
OTHEROmega-3 eggs
Participants will eat two Christopher Farms omega-3 fortified eggs daily for the 4-week study.
OTHERegg yolk
Participants will eat four egg yolks daily for the 4-week study
Sponsors
Egg Nutrition Center
Texas A&M University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
Brand name of eggs on cartons will be covered so participants will not know which eggs they were eating.
Intervention model description
This is a 30-day study. Serum analysis and diagnostic testing will be conducted at baseline. Participants will be randomly assigned to a no-egg control or one of the following dietary treatment groups: 4 large egg whites daily; 2 large whole eggs daily; 2 large whole omega-3 fortified eggs daily; or 4 large egg yolks daily. Participants will be asked to follow their routine food and beverage intake other than the assigned dietary treatment guidelines. Fifteen food logs will be completed. The last two weeks will include 15 Neurotracker 3-D cognitive training sessions over 10 days with diagnostic measures, physical activity, and sleep patterns recorded. Serum blood draw at day 30.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy men and post-menopausal women who are age 50 to 75 years
Exclusion criteria
* Taking supplements with \>6 mg L and/or \>2 mg Z two months before the study * Self-reported diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or other eye conditions that may negatively impact visual cognitive performance
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive performance | 15 cognitive sessions within 10 days over 2 week period | Neurotracker 3-Dimensional software used to measure cognitive performance. Subjects performed 20 trials within a single training session obtaining a speed threshold, (ST) the level at which the participant correctly tracked and selected the correct objects 50% of the time. The final ST for each training session and the progression over 15 sessions were the primary determinants of cognitive performance. |
| Nutrient Intake (Lutein and Zeaxanthin) | Through study completion which may take up to 2 years. | Serum will be drawn and analyzed for lutein and zeaxanthin content |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Serum Lipid Levels | Through study completion which may take up to 2 years. | Serum will be drawn and analyzed for lipoprotein subfractions |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed