Effect of Nutritional Supplementation With Turmeric on the Cognitive Performance of Subjects With Metabolic Syndrome

NCT ID: NCT04705220

Last Updated: 2026-02-02

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

85 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-04-08

Study Completion Date

2025-12-19

Brief Summary

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The EPICURO study aims to demonstrate the beneficial effects of a 6-month dietary supplementation with an improved bioavailable turmeric (MERIVA®) on inflammatory, oxidative and metabolic parameters together with cognitive performance, potentially resulting in the reduction of the risk of cognitive decline in subjects, male and female, with Metabolic Syndrome. The results obtained will provide novel insights on MERIVA® for improving the prevention of age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

Detailed Description

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This single-center trial will be a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, 2 parallel groups study. The subjects will be randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups (MERIVA® or placebo). The duration of the supplementation is 6 months. The total sample size at baseline is 100 subjects aged 60+ years with Metabolic Syndrome, and therefore at risk of cognitive decline but without definite cognitive pathologies.

The primary objective of the study is the evaluation of the effect of nutritional supplementation with MERIVA® on the cognitive performance of subjects with Metabolic Syndrome, and therefore at risk of cognitive decline, with a view to maintaining the homeostatic balance of the function.

The secondary objectives of the study are:

* Evaluation of the effect of nutritional supplementation with turmeric (MERIVA®) on memory, executive and attention functions, language, neuropsychiatric profile and daily living ability of Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome;
* Evaluation of the effect of nutritional supplementation with turmeric (MERIVA®) on the body composition of Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome;
* Evaluation of the effect of nutritional supplementation with turmeric (MERIVA®) on the arterial properties of Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome;
* Evaluation of the effect of nutritional supplementation with turmeric (MERIVA®) on glucose metabolism and on the lipid and immune structure of Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome;
* Evaluation of the influence of gender / gender on the response to nutritional supplementation with turmeric (MERIVA®) in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome;
* Confirmation of the safety profile of nutritional supplementation with turmeric (MERIVA®) in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome.

Conditions

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Mild Cognitive Impairment

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This is a double-blind, randomized, single-center clinical trial. Patients enrolled will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio between groups and sexes to receive the test product MERIVA® (Group A) or its correspondent placebo (Group B).
Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators
The test product MERIVA® is formulated in tablets indistinguishable from those of its correspondent placebo, with a completely indistinguishable appearance even in packaging.

Study Groups

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Nutritional Supplementation with Test Product

Subjects will receive 1 tablet of MERIVA® in two administrations per day (one in the morning, one in the evening during meals) for a period of 6 months. This treatment corresponds to 1 g / day of experimental product (corresponding to about 200 mg of curcuminoids).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

MERIVA® Tablets

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

The treatment corresponds to 1 g / day of experimental product (corresponding to about 200 mg of curcuminoids).

Control Group without Nutritional Supplementation

Subjects will receive 1 tablet of placebo in two administrations per day (one in the morning, one in the evening during meals) for a period of 6 months.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo Tablets

Intervention Type OTHER

The composition of placebo includes the same components of the treatment tablets, except for the active substance.

Interventions

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MERIVA® Tablets

The treatment corresponds to 1 g / day of experimental product (corresponding to about 200 mg of curcuminoids).

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo Tablets

The composition of placebo includes the same components of the treatment tablets, except for the active substance.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Male or female subjects.
* Subjects aged ≥ 60 years.
* Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome diagnosed according to standard criteria:

1. Presence of abdominal obesity (waist circumference\> 94 cm for males and\> 80 cm for females).

In addition, at least two of the following alterations:
2. Fasting blood glucose ≥ 100 mg / dl.
3. Triglycerides ≥ 150 mg / dl.
4. HDL cholesterol \<40 mg / dl for males, \<50 mg / dl for females.
5. Arterial hypertension (≥ 135/85 mmHg).
* Subjects who understand the nature of the study and provide their informed consent to participate.
* Subjects willing and able to participate in the visits and in the procedures foreseen by the study protocol.

Exclusion Criteria

* Subjects with dementia with MMSE \<24 test and on therapy with cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine\*.
* Subjects with serious concomitant internal medical conditions or with neurological pathologies capable of causing cognitive dysfunction.
* Subjects with hepato-biliary disorders, including bile duct obstruction, cholangitis, gallstones.
* Subjects addicted to alcohol or drugs, or treated with psychotropic drugs at the time of enrollment.
* Subjects with known or suspected allergy or hypersensitivity to turmeric or other components of the experimental / placebo product.
* Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and in experimental therapy with Alzheimer's disease drugs.
* Subjects who are participating or have participated in other clinical studies within 30 days before enrollment.
* Subjects unable to sign the Informed Consent to Participation.

* In case of conversion to dementia the Subjects will be kept in the study, will be subjected to the most appropriate therapies provided for the dementia pathology but will not enter the subsequent statistical evaluations.
Minimum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Istituto Superiore di Sanità

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Sintesi Research Srl

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

Indena S.p.A

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Andrea Giaccari, Prof.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Locations

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S.C. di Endocrinologia e Diabetologia, Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli"

Roma, , Italy

Site Status

Countries

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Italy

References

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Petersen RC, Caracciolo B, Brayne C, Gauthier S, Jelic V, Fratiglioni L. Mild cognitive impairment: a concept in evolution. J Intern Med. 2014 Mar;275(3):214-28. doi: 10.1111/joim.12190.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
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McKhann GM, Knopman DS, Chertkow H, Hyman BT, Jack CR Jr, Kawas CH, Klunk WE, Koroshetz WJ, Manly JJ, Mayeux R, Mohs RC, Morris JC, Rossor MN, Scheltens P, Carrillo MC, Thies B, Weintraub S, Phelps CH. The diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease: recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2011 May;7(3):263-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.03.005. Epub 2011 Apr 21.

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Cicero AFG, Fogacci F, Morbini M, Colletti A, Bove M, Veronesi M, Giovannini M, Borghi C. Nutraceutical Effects on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Patients with Impaired Fasting Glucose: A Pilot, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial on a Combined Product. High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev. 2017 Sep;24(3):283-288. doi: 10.1007/s40292-017-0206-3. Epub 2017 May 23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Cox KH, Pipingas A, Scholey AB. Investigation of the effects of solid lipid curcumin on cognition and mood in a healthy older population. J Psychopharmacol. 2015 May;29(5):642-51. doi: 10.1177/0269881114552744. Epub 2014 Oct 2.

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Tabrizi R, Vakili S, Lankarani KB, Akbari M, Mirhosseini N, Ghayour-Mobarhan M, Ferns G, Karamali F, Karamali M, Taghizadeh M, Kouchaki E, Asemi Z. The Effects of Curcumin on Glycemic Control and Lipid Profiles Among Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Curr Pharm Des. 2018;24(27):3184-3199. doi: 10.2174/1381612824666180828162053.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Albert MS, DeKosky ST, Dickson D, Dubois B, Feldman HH, Fox NC, Gamst A, Holtzman DM, Jagust WJ, Petersen RC, Snyder PJ, Carrillo MC, Thies B, Phelps CH. The diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease: recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2011 May;7(3):270-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.03.008. Epub 2011 Apr 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Berry A, Cirulli F. The p66(Shc) gene paves the way for healthspan: evolutionary and mechanistic perspectives. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2013 Jun;37(5):790-802. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.03.005. Epub 2013 Mar 20.

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28952131 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

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http://www.indena.com/

Sponsor company website

Other Identifiers

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CUR-01-2019

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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