Effects of Blueberry on Cognition and Mobility in Older Adults

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

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

42 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2013-01-31

Study Completion Date

2014-02-28

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This study is being conducted to assess the effect of dietary blueberry supplementation on cognition and mobility in older adults. It is hypothesized that plant compounds, present in blueberries, may improve cognition and mobility by protecting against oxidative stress and inflammation.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

Effect of Blueberries on Cognition and Body Composition in Elderly With Mild Cognitive Decline

NCT01515098

Mild Cognitive Decline

COMPLETED NA

Effects of Blueberry Juice Consumption on Cognitive Function in Healthy Older People

NCT02985580

Cognitive Aging

COMPLETED NA

Long-term Effects of Blueberry Supplementation on Brain Health in Older Adults

NCT05764824

Cognitive Decline Nutrition, Healthy Brain Injuries

COMPLETED NA

Blueberry Enhances Activity and Cognition Through Increased Vascular Efficiency

NCT04049162

Sedentary Lifestyle Blood Pressure Arterial Stiffness +1 more

COMPLETED NA

The Effect of Blueberry Supplementation on Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults

NCT07170943

Cognitive Decline Cognition Disorders in Old Age Aging

WITHDRAWN NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

This study is being conducted to assess the effect of dietary blueberry supplementation vs. placebo on measures of cognition and mobility in older adults. Participants will visit the HNRCA on 4 occasions. During the first visit, participants will complete a dietary assessment and familiarize themselves with some of the cognitive tests used in the study. After a period of up to 45 days participants will return for the second visit. Participants will be randomized to consume either freeze dried blueberry powder or a placebo powder that tastes like blueberry. At visits 2, 3 and 4, participants will undergo tests of cognition, memory, gait and balance. In addition, blood samples and 24-hour urine will be collected at these visits. Tests include balance and gait assessment using a treadmill instrumented with pressure sensors which will measure postural sway and a variety of spatial/temporal gait parameters. Participants will also be affixed with surface electrodes to measure the activation of muscles in their legs during these balance and gait measurements. Participants will complete a battery of cognitive tests on paper and by computer. In the time between participants' visit 2 and visit 4, participants will receive a weekly telephone call to check in with them and remind them to continue taking the study powder. At the very end of the study, when all participants are finished, participants will receive a telephone call to debrief them and notify them which group they were randomized into. An optional tissue banking protocol will be offered for collection of additional blood to be banked at visits 2-4.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Aging Age-Related Memory Disorders

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

blueberry

Participants randomized into this arm of the study consume freeze-dried blueberry.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Freeze-dried Blueberry

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

12g freeze-dried blueberry (powder), twice daily with water, for 90 days

placebo

Participants randomized into this arm of the study consume a blueberry placebo.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Blueberry Placebo

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

12g blue, blueberry-flavored powder, twice daily with water, for 90 days

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Freeze-dried Blueberry

12g freeze-dried blueberry (powder), twice daily with water, for 90 days

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Blueberry Placebo

12g blue, blueberry-flavored powder, twice daily with water, for 90 days

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Men and women are between the ages of 60 and 75 years
* Body mass index 18.5-29.9 kg/m2
* Adequate visual acuity or corrected visual acuity to read and perform computer tasks.
* Fluency in spoken and written English
* Ability to walk independently for 20 minutes
* Absence of menstruation for a minimum of 12 months or surgical menopause.

Exclusion Criteria

* Self-reported vegetarian or vegan.
* Any condition that has resulted in cognitive deficits, including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, cerebrovascular accident, or head injury
* History of any neurologic disorder resulting in permanent or relapsing/remitting neurologic impairment including but not limited to Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, peripheral neuropathy, or radiculopathy.
* History of any condition resulting in permanent muscle or mobility deficit that would interfere with walking independent of assistance for 20 minutes, including but not limited to amputation, fracture, arthritis, myopathy, or limb, hip or back surgery within the last year.
* Self-reported cognitive, memory, neurologic or functional deficits that are stated to interfere with activities of daily living or functional status.
* Any chronic condition associated with increased risk of falls such as vestibular disease, orthostatic hypotension or neuropathy.
* Falls within the last year, that occurred in the course or routine daily activities, which were not precipitated by unusual circumstances such as being pushed or falling on ice.
* Regular use (i.e. that cannot or should not be discontinued for the entire study period, as per the subject's personal physician) of medications or dietary supplements known or suspected to influence cognitive function, attention, ability to ambulate, gait, balance, or risk of falls that in the opinion of the study physician may influence study results or increase risk with participation in the study.
* Psychiatric disorders that could in the opinion of the study physician interfere with study testing, including bipolar disorder, psychosis, and major depression
* MMSE score of less than 24 at screening
* Gastrointestinal disorders that influence digestion and absorption of food
* Diabetes mellitus
* Liver dysfunction
* History of cirrhosis
* SGPT, SGOT, or total bilirubin \> 2 x upper limit of normal
* Kidney disease as indicated by serum creatinine \> 1.5 mg/dL at screening
* Cardiac or pulmonary conditions that limit ambulation or results in dyspnea with ambulation with walking required as part of activities of daily living.
* Reported allergy to blueberry or ingredients in the placebo.
* Ethanol use estimated to be on average \> 2 servings/day of beer (12-ounces), wine (5 ounces) or liquor (1.5 ounces), or self-reported binge-drinking.
* Illicit drug use in the last 12 months.
* Cigarette smoking within the last 6 months or current use of nicotine.

Minimum Eligible Age

60 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes