Investigating the Acute Effects of Flavonoids in Blueberries on Cognitive Function.

NCT ID: NCT01289860

Last Updated: 2013-02-21

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

47 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2009-05-31

Study Completion Date

2013-01-31

Brief Summary

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This study was a controlled, cross-over, acute flavonoid intervention trial with younger and older adults. Subjects consumed a blueberry beverage during one visit and a control beverage on another. Cognitive function pre drink was assessed, blood and urine samples were taken as well as blood pressure and a measure of vascular reactivity. These outcome measures were taken at 2 and 5 hours post drink.

It was predicted that the flavonoids in the blueberry drink would lead to improved performance on the cognitive tests and vascular reactivity measure compared to following the control drink. It was thought this could be due to increased vaso-dilation and improving blood flow to the brain which was investigated in an extension to the project where a sample of individuals underwent brain imaging in an MRI scanner pre and post a blueberry and a control drink.

Detailed Description

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The control drink was matched to the blueberry drink for other bioactive compounds which may have affected cognition, specifically sugars and vitamin C. Volunteers were healthy, not on any medication, without high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high BMI, diabetes or other medical conditions. Older adults were aged 61-75 years and younger adults 18-26 years.

Blood and urine samples will be analysed for flavonoid levels and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor, a biomarker of memory and learning, flavonoids may lead to increased BDNF production through the ERK-CREB-BDNF pathway.

Flavonoids may also increase nitric oxide production and improve the flexibility of the blood vessels hence the measure of vascular reactivity using the Digital Volume Pulse machine. This can lead to increased vaso-dilation and blood flow to the brain, therefore an fMRI study was carried out the investigate this using arterial spin labeling following acute blueberry supplementation compared to a control drink.

Conditions

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Healthy Adults.

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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Blueberry drink

30g of blueberry powder (equivalent to 200g fresh blueberries) and 300ml of semi-skimmed milk

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Flavonoids

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

475g of anthocyanidins in 300ml of blueberry drink.

Control drink

29g of powder consisting of sugars and vitamin C, values of which were matched to that of the blueberry drink, with 1 g of citric acid to match for taste.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Control

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

29g powder: sugars (glucose, sucrose, fructose), vitamin C and citric acid.

Interventions

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Flavonoids

475g of anthocyanidins in 300ml of blueberry drink.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Control

29g powder: sugars (glucose, sucrose, fructose), vitamin C and citric acid.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Other Intervention Names

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Anthocyanidins, flavanols, flavonols.

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* No medical conditions
* Not taking any medication or supplements (or willing to stop taking supplements for duration of study)
* Not lactose intolerant
* Willing to give blood and urine samples
* Not partaking in frequent vigorous exercise
* Not suffering from or history of depression

Exclusion Criteria

* On blood pressure medication, taking Aspirin or other blood thinning medication
* BMI \> 30
* Cholesterol \> 6
* Diabetes or other serious medical condition
* Lactose intolerant
* Any learning difficulty e.g. dyslexia
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of Reading

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Jeremy Paul Edward Spencer

Professor of Nutritional Medicine

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Jeremy PE Spencer, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Reading

Laurie T Butler, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Reading

Locations

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University of Reading

Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom

Site Status

Countries

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United Kingdom

Other Identifiers

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UReading_2010_01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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