Cognitive Function, Dementia
Conditions
Keywords
Nutrition, Omega3, B vitamins, older adults, cognition
Brief summary
A poor nutrition status is a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. In particular, evidence links low status of certain B-vitamins and ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA) with a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Although these dietary components are typically investigated separately, post-hoc analyses of existing clinical trial data and experimental work indicate that B-vitamins and ω-3 FA may exert synergistic beneficial effects on processes related to brain health and cognition. However, this combination has not been tested directly in humans. In the proposed BOOMERANG project, we will study the effects of jointly supplementing with B-vitamins and a highly bioavailable ω-3 FA supplement, Lysoveta, on a robust biomarker of brain atrophy, the neurofilament light chain, in a double-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) over 3 months in older adults. We will also examine the secondary effects of the supplement of quality of life and cognitive function.
Detailed description
We will assess the effects of combined supplementation of B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids on neurofilament light chain (NfL), a biomarker of brain atrophy, in a group of older adults. The primary outcome is the change in plasma NfL, which is a marker related to inflammation, brain atrophy, and worsening of cognitive performance. The secondary outcomes are related to change in plasma homocysteine, B-vitamins, EPA, DHA, omega-3 index (the percentage of EPA and DHA in red blood cells), and biological age using epigenetic markers. These are biomarkers that can tell us about the effect of the supplement in the body. We also want to study the effect of the intervention on gene expression profiles and metabolite profiles. In addition, we will include secondary outcome measures of quality of life (SF-36) that include affective symptoms, as these can be a forerunner to developing cognitive impairment. We are also collecting data on their cognitive performance, as this is related to brain atrophy and neurological conditions.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTIntervention
The intervention group will receive daily supplementation of one pill of B-vitamins (0.5 mg B12, 0.8 mg folate, 10 mg B6 and 10 mg riboflavin) + six pills of 500 mg Lysoveta, in total 3 g Lysoveta (480 mg EPA, 240 mg DHA). Lysoveta is an LPC-bound EPA/DHA supplement from krill which Aker BioMarine has recently developed.
OTHERControl
The control group will receive daily supplementation of one placebo pill matching the B-vitamins and one placebo pill matching Lysoveta. the placebo capsules will contain 500 mg of mixed vegetable oil (comprising a blend of olive-, maize-, and palm kernel oil and medium-chain triglycerides, in a ratio of 4:4:3:2)
Sponsors
Maastricht University
University of Dublin, Trinity College
Aker BioMarine
University of Ulster
Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf
University of Oslo
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age \> 65 years * A low baseline B-vitamin status as assessed by plasma tHcy \> 11 μmol/L * Normal MMSE score (\>25)
Exclusion criteria
* Unable to give informed consent * Fatty fish intake \> 2 times per week * daily omega-3 supplementation * daily B-vitamin supplementation * history of B12-injections * Serum creatinine \> 90 μmol/L for women and \> 105 μmol/L for men (above reference values) * aspirin use * renal disease * active cancer * Participants can be included if they accept to not take omega-3 supplementation or B-vitamin supplements during the study. They should stop using it and wait 12 weeks before they are invited to a screening visit.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Neurofilament light chain (NfL) | 3 months | To assess the effects of combined supplementation of B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids on neurofilament light chain (NfL), a biomarker of brain atrophy in a group of elderly |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive function | 3 months | Neuropsychological tests of global and domain specific cognitive functions will be assessed using a test battery that includes the Mini-Mental state Examination, Cognistat, and Cerad test battery (working memory, verbal fluency, constructional praxis). |
| Change in plasma homocysteine | 3 months | Change in plasma homocysteine |
| B-vitamins | 3 months | B-vitamins (B12, folate, B6 and riboflavin) |
| Omega-3 | 3 months | EPA, DHA, omega-3 index (the percentage of EPA and DHA in red blood cells) |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Biological age | 3 months | Biological age using epigenetic clocks |
| Gut microbiome | 3 months | Biomarker |
| Biomarkers of brain atrophy, | 3 months | p-tau, inflammation, |
| Quality of life in older adults | 3 months | Quality of life RAND SF-36 |
| Transcriptome PBMC | 3 months | Biomarker |
| Metabolome in plasma | 3 months | Biomarker |
Countries
Norway
Contacts
Primary ContactStine M Ulven, PhD
Backup ContactTahreem G Siddiqui, PhD
Outcome results
None listed