Time Restricted Eating in Alzheimer's Disease

NCT ID: NCT06429124

Last Updated: 2025-06-06

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

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-03-15

Study Completion Date

2026-03-14

Brief Summary

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

This pilot and feasibility study will enable the research team to determine the feasibility of implementing a time-restricted eating regimen among adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the impact of time-restricted eating on cognitive performance and biomarkers of metabolic health in this population. Study staff will execute the specific aims using a pre-post, non-randomized study design in which all participants receive the intervention. The intervention is a 16/8 time-restricted eating regimen characterized by fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window on 5 days per week for 3 months. Assessments will be performed at baseline and after the 3-month time-restricted eating intervention with the following outcome measures.

Outcome measures for feasibility include participant recruitment, retention and metrics of acceptability, safety, and adherence to the intervention. Outcome measures for cognitive performance and metabolic health include neuropsychological tests, blood biomarkers, and surveys of psychological well-being.

Detailed Description

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

The goal of this pilot study on time restricted eating regimens in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patient population will be to determine the feasibility of implementing the intervention and impact of time-restricted eating on cognitive performance and biomarkers of metabolic health. Researchers at the Barrow Neurological Institute, Alzheimer\'s Disease Program in collaboration with the Arizona State University College of Health Solutions will execute the specific aims using a pre-post non-randomized study design in which all participants receive the intervention. Outcome assessments for specific aim 2 will include neuropsychological tests, blood biomarkers, and psychological well-being measured at baseline and after 3 months of intervention.

Participants will be instructed to follow a 16/8 regimen characterized by 16 hours of fasting and an 8-hour eating window daily, on approximately 5 days/week, for 3 months. Primary outcomes will include participant recruitment, retention, acceptability, safety, and adherence to the 16 hours of fasting and 8-hour eating window. Researchers hypothesize that participants who follow a time-restricted eating pattern will have improvements in attention, working memory and semantic fluency domains. Study staff hypothesize that there will be improvements or trends toward improvements in inflammatory and cardiometabolic biomarkers (i.e., interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, and lipids).

The results of this project will provide critical preliminary data for a longer-term, large-scale, randomized controlled trial of time-restricted eating on cognitive trajectory among adults with MCI. The novel findings from the proposed project and future studies will contribute significantly to the body of knowledge that will advance the field, with the ultimate goal of preventing or delaying the progression of MCI to dementia.

Conditions

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

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Study Design

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

Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

We will execute the specific aims using a pre-post non-randomized study design in which all participants receive the intervention. Outcome assessments for specific aim 2 will include neuropsychological tests, blood biomarkers, and psychological well-being measured at baseline and after 3 months of intervention.
Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

NONE

This study will not use any masking.

Study Groups

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

Interventional

Participants will be instructed to follow a 16/8 regimen characterized by 16 hours of fasting and an 8-hour eating window daily, on approximately 5 days/week, for 3 months. Previous research has shown that 16 hours of fasting is feasible, safe and well-tolerated among older adults, and that most persons report easy adjustment (Anton, Lee et al. 2019, Lee, Sypniewski et al. 2020). The intervention will be implemented through individual and group sessions with participants and will involve extensive education, coaching, guidance, and support throughout the 3-month intervention. Educational materials on lifestyle factors including physical activity will be provided to each participant. We will be also be collecting data on physical activity and sedentary behavior. These data will be co-variates when we conduct the statistical analysis.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Dietary Intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will be instructed to follow a 16/8 regimen characterized by 16 hours of fasting and an 8-hour eating window daily, on approximately 5 days/week, for 3 months. Previous research has shown that 16 hours of fasting is feasible, safe and well-tolerated among older adults, and that most persons report easy adjustment (Anton, Lee et al. 2019, Lee, Sypniewski et al. 2020). The intervention will be implemented through individual and group sessions with participants and will involve extensive education, coaching, guidance, and support throughout the 3-month intervention. Educational materials on lifestyle factors including physical activity will be provided to each participant. We will be also be collecting data on physical activity and sedentary behavior. These data will be co-variates when we conduct the statistical analysis.

Interventions

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

Dietary Intervention

Participants will be instructed to follow a 16/8 regimen characterized by 16 hours of fasting and an 8-hour eating window daily, on approximately 5 days/week, for 3 months. Previous research has shown that 16 hours of fasting is feasible, safe and well-tolerated among older adults, and that most persons report easy adjustment (Anton, Lee et al. 2019, Lee, Sypniewski et al. 2020). The intervention will be implemented through individual and group sessions with participants and will involve extensive education, coaching, guidance, and support throughout the 3-month intervention. Educational materials on lifestyle factors including physical activity will be provided to each participant. We will be also be collecting data on physical activity and sedentary behavior. These data will be co-variates when we conduct the statistical analysis.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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

Inclusion Criteria

1. Male or Female outpatients 55-89 years of age.
2. Meet Mayo Clinic Criteria for MCI.
3. If taking medications that may affect one or more study outcome measures(such as donepezil and memantine),the participant must be on a stable dose for at least the preceding 3 months.
4. A body mass index ≥18.5 and \<40.0 kg/m2.
5. Access to the internet through computer or smartphone.
6. Must have a collateral informant/study partner(e.g. spouse or adult child) who has significant direct contact with the patient and who is willing to accompany the patient to specified clinic visits and be available for telephone visits/Interviews.
7. An education level \> 8 years.
8. A proficiency in speaking and reading English or having a family member who is proficient in reading and speaking English and is willing to serve as a translator.
9. Vision and hearing must be sufficient to comply with study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Diabetes mellitus that requires insulin treatment or is not well managed.
2. An eating disorder.
3. A contraindication to time-restricted eating.
4. Daily eating window \<11 hours/day on ≥3 days/week.
5. MMSE score ≤9 or patients diagnosed with severe dementia by a clinician.
6. In the opinion of the investigator, participation would not be in the best interest of the subject.
7. Taking prescription medications twice a day that need to be taken with food.
Minimum Eligible Age

55 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

89 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Arizona State University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Mayo Clinic

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Yonas E Geda, MD, MSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Barrow Neurological Institute, Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Disorders Division

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Barrow Neurological Institute, Division of Alzheimer's Disease

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Site Status ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Yonas E Geda, MD, MSc

Role: CONTACT

833-233-3073

Geetika Chahal, MBBS

Role: CONTACT

602-406-7240

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Susan Racette, Ph.D.

Role: primary

602-543-1563

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Anson RM, Guo Z, de Cabo R, Iyun T, Rios M, Hagepanos A, Ingram DK, Lane MA, Mattson MP. Intermittent fasting dissociates beneficial effects of dietary restriction on glucose metabolism and neuronal resistance to injury from calorie intake. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 May 13;100(10):6216-20. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1035720100. Epub 2003 Apr 30.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12724520 (View on PubMed)

Anton SD, Lee SA, Donahoo WT, McLaren C, Manini T, Leeuwenburgh C, Pahor M. The Effects of Time Restricted Feeding on Overweight, Older Adults: A Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2019 Jun 30;11(7):1500. doi: 10.3390/nu11071500.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31262054 (View on PubMed)

Anton SD, Moehl K, Donahoo WT, Marosi K, Lee SA, Mainous AG 3rd, Leeuwenburgh C, Mattson MP. Flipping the Metabolic Switch: Understanding and Applying the Health Benefits of Fasting. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018 Feb;26(2):254-268. doi: 10.1002/oby.22065. Epub 2017 Oct 31.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29086496 (View on PubMed)

Brookmeyer R, Gray S, Kawas C. Projections of Alzheimer's disease in the United States and the public health impact of delaying disease onset. Am J Public Health. 1998 Sep;88(9):1337-42. doi: 10.2105/ajph.88.9.1337.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9736873 (View on PubMed)

Buysse DJ, Reynolds CF 3rd, Monk TH, Berman SR, Kupfer DJ. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: a new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Res. 1989 May;28(2):193-213. doi: 10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 2748771 (View on PubMed)

Carlson AJ, Hoelzel F. Apparent prolongation of the life span of rats by intermittent fasting. J Nutr. 1946 Mar;31:363-75. doi: 10.1093/jn/31.3.363. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21021020 (View on PubMed)

Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Soc Behav. 1983 Dec;24(4):385-96. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 6668417 (View on PubMed)

Dimitratos SM, German JB, Schaefer SE. Wearable Technology to Quantify the Nutritional Intake of Adults: Validation Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2020 Jul 22;8(7):e16405. doi: 10.2196/16405.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32706729 (View on PubMed)

Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR. "Mini-mental state". A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res. 1975 Nov;12(3):189-98. doi: 10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 1202204 (View on PubMed)

Francis, A. W., D. L. Dawson and N. Golijani-Moghaddam (2016).

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Goodrick CL, Ingram DK, Reynolds MA, Freeman JR, Cider N. Effects of intermittent feeding upon body weight and lifespan in inbred mice: interaction of genotype and age. Mech Ageing Dev. 1990 Jul;55(1):69-87. doi: 10.1016/0047-6374(90)90107-q.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 2402168 (View on PubMed)

Goodrick CL, Ingram DK, Reynolds MA, Freeman JR, Cider NL. Differential effects of intermittent feeding and voluntary exercise on body weight and lifespan in adult rats. J Gerontol. 1983 Jan;38(1):36-45. doi: 10.1093/geronj/38.1.36.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 6848584 (View on PubMed)

Gudden J, Arias Vasquez A, Bloemendaal M. The Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Brain and Cognitive Function. Nutrients. 2021 Sep 10;13(9):3166. doi: 10.3390/nu13093166.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34579042 (View on PubMed)

Halagappa VK, Guo Z, Pearson M, Matsuoka Y, Cutler RG, Laferla FM, Mattson MP. Intermittent fasting and caloric restriction ameliorate age-related behavioral deficits in the triple-transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Dis. 2007 Apr;26(1):212-20. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2006.12.019. Epub 2007 Jan 13.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17306982 (View on PubMed)

HARMAN D. Aging: a theory based on free radical and radiation chemistry. J Gerontol. 1956 Jul;11(3):298-300. doi: 10.1093/geronj/11.3.298. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 13332224 (View on PubMed)

Jack CR Jr, Bennett DA, Blennow K, Carrillo MC, Dunn B, Haeberlein SB, Holtzman DM, Jagust W, Jessen F, Karlawish J, Liu E, Molinuevo JL, Montine T, Phelps C, Rankin KP, Rowe CC, Scheltens P, Siemers E, Snyder HM, Sperling R; Contributors. NIA-AA Research Framework: Toward a biological definition of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2018 Apr;14(4):535-562. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.02.018.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29653606 (View on PubMed)

Lee SA, Sypniewski C, Bensadon BA, McLaren C, Donahoo WT, Sibille KT, Anton S. Determinants of Adherence in Time-Restricted Feeding in Older Adults: Lessons from a Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2020 Mar 24;12(3):874. doi: 10.3390/nu12030874.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32213965 (View on PubMed)

Martens CR, Rossman MJ, Mazzo MR, Jankowski LR, Nagy EE, Denman BA, Richey JJ, Johnson SA, Ziemba BP, Wang Y, Peterson CM, Chonchol M, Seals DR. Short-term time-restricted feeding is safe and feasible in non-obese healthy midlife and older adults. Geroscience. 2020 Apr;42(2):667-686. doi: 10.1007/s11357-020-00156-6. Epub 2020 Jan 23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31975053 (View on PubMed)

Mattson MP, Moehl K, Ghena N, Schmaedick M, Cheng A. Intermittent metabolic switching, neuroplasticity and brain health. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2018 Feb;19(2):63-80. doi: 10.1038/nrn.2017.156. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29321682 (View on PubMed)

McCay CM, Crowell MF, Maynard LA. The effect of retarded growth upon the length of life span and upon the ultimate body size. 1935. Nutrition. 1989 May-Jun;5(3):155-71; discussion 172. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 2520283 (View on PubMed)

Mitchell SJ, Bernier M, Mattison JA, Aon MA, Kaiser TA, Anson RM, Ikeno Y, Anderson RM, Ingram DK, de Cabo R. Daily Fasting Improves Health and Survival in Male Mice Independent of Diet Composition and Calories. Cell Metab. 2019 Jan 8;29(1):221-228.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.08.011. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30197301 (View on PubMed)

Ooi TC, Meramat A, Rajab NF, Shahar S, Ismail IS, Azam AA, Sharif R. Intermittent Fasting Enhanced the Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment by Inducing Biochemical and Metabolic changes: A 3-Year Progressive Study. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 30;12(9):2644. doi: 10.3390/nu12092644.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32872655 (View on PubMed)

Ooi TC, Meramat A, Rajab NF, Shahar S, Sharif R. Antioxidant Potential, DNA Damage, Inflammation, Glycemic Control and Lipid Metabolism Alteration: A Mediation Analysis of Islamic Sunnah Intermittent Fasting on Cognitive Function among Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Nutr Health Aging. 2022;26(3):272-281. doi: 10.1007/s12603-022-1757-0.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35297471 (View on PubMed)

Reiman EM, Caselli RJ, Yun LS, Chen K, Bandy D, Minoshima S, Thibodeau SN, Osborne D. Preclinical evidence of Alzheimer's disease in persons homozygous for the epsilon 4 allele for apolipoprotein E. N Engl J Med. 1996 Mar 21;334(12):752-8. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199603213341202.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8592548 (View on PubMed)

Rey, A. (1964). L'examen clinique en psychologie. Paris, Presses Universitaires de France.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Reynolds, C. R. (2002). Comprehensive trail-making test : examiner's manual. Austin, Tex., Pro-Ed.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Roy M, Rheault F, Croteau E, Castellano CA, Fortier M, St-Pierre V, Houde JC, Turcotte EE, Bocti C, Fulop T, Cunnane SC, Descoteaux M. Fascicle- and Glucose-Specific Deterioration in White Matter Energy Supply in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2020;76(3):863-881. doi: 10.3233/JAD-200213.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32568202 (View on PubMed)

Rubinsztein DC, Frake RA. Yoshinori Ohsumi's Nobel Prize for mechanisms of autophagy: from basic yeast biology to therapeutic potential. J R Coll Physicians Edinb. 2016 Dec;46(4):228-233. doi: 10.4997/jrcpe.2016.403.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28504774 (View on PubMed)

Sattler MC, Jaunig J, Tosch C, Watson ED, Mokkink LB, Dietz P, van Poppel MNM. Current Evidence of Measurement Properties of Physical Activity Questionnaires for Older Adults: An Updated Systematic Review. Sports Med. 2020 Jul;50(7):1271-1315. doi: 10.1007/s40279-020-01268-x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32125670 (View on PubMed)

Smith BW, Dalen J, Wiggins K, Tooley E, Christopher P, Bernard J. The brief resilience scale: assessing the ability to bounce back. Int J Behav Med. 2008;15(3):194-200. doi: 10.1080/10705500802222972.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18696313 (View on PubMed)

Sutton EF, Beyl R, Early KS, Cefalu WT, Ravussin E, Peterson CM. Early Time-Restricted Feeding Improves Insulin Sensitivity, Blood Pressure, and Oxidative Stress Even without Weight Loss in Men with Prediabetes. Cell Metab. 2018 Jun 5;27(6):1212-1221.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.04.010. Epub 2018 May 10.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29754952 (View on PubMed)

Wechsler, D. (1997). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III. New York, The Psychological Corporation.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Weindruch R. The retardation of aging by caloric restriction: studies in rodents and primates. Toxicol Pathol. 1996 Nov-Dec;24(6):742-5. doi: 10.1177/019262339602400618.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8994305 (View on PubMed)

Development of the World Health Organization WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment. The WHOQOL Group. Psychol Med. 1998 May;28(3):551-8. doi: 10.1017/s0033291798006667.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9626712 (View on PubMed)

Wilson, K. G., Sandoz, E. K., Kitchens, J., & Roberts, M. E. (2010).

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

HX-23-500-347-30-03

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.