Long-term Effects of Blueberry Supplementation on Brain Health in Older Adults
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This study will test whether consuming blueberry powder 25g/d for 24 weeks can improve memory and other cognitive function and alter serum biomarkers of brain injury among older adults.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
In a randomized, double-blind placebo, controlled design, the investigators will test the effects of 25 g/d of blueberry powder for 24 weeks on cognitive function and serum biomarkers of brain injury among older adults.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Active Comparator: Blueberry group Blueberry arm |
Dietary Supplement: Blueberry powder
25 g per day of blueberry powder
|
| Placebo Comparator: Control group Control arm |
Other: Controlled and matched powder
25 g per day
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Change in plasma concentration of neurofilament light (NFL) between baseline and 24 weeks [Baseline and at 24 weeks after the intervention]
Change will be calculated as difference between plasma NFL concentration measured at 24 weeks and NFL concentration measured at baseline.
- Change in plasma concentration of phosphorylated tau (pTau-181) between baseline and 24 weeks [Baseline and at 24 weeks post intervention]
Change will be calculated as difference between plasma pTau-181 concentration measured at 24 weeks and plasma concentration of pTau-181 measured at baseline
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Change in plasma concentration of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAB) between baseline and 24 weeks [Baseline and at 24 weeks post intervention]
Change will be calculated as difference between plasma concentration of GFAB measured at 24 weeks and plasma GFAB concentration measured at baseline
- Change in concentration of serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) between baseline and 24 weeks [Baseline and 24 weeks post intervention]
Change will be computed as difference between serum concentration of NEFA measured at 24 weeks and serum NEFA concentration measured at baseline
- Change in cognitive battery test score between baseline and 24 weeks post intervention [Baseline and at 24 weeks post intervention]
The investigators will use CANTAB (computer-based and interactive software) to complete 8 cognitive battery tests including a) Motor screening task; b) Reaction time; c) Paired associates learning; d) Spatial working memory; e) Pattern recognition memory; f) Delayed matching to sample; g) Rapid visual information processing; and h) Match to sample visual search. The computer automatically calculates a composite score from these 8 tests (a-h) and the investigators will define change in cognitive battery test score as difference in composite score between 24 weeks and baseline.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
-
Adults aged 65-99 years
-
Able to travel to Brigham and Women's Hospital for 4 clinic visits
Exclusion Criteria:
-
Known allergies to blueberries
-
Unable to abstain from blueberry consumption during the study period
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Inability to provide informed consent
-
Planned major surgery during study period or recent major surgery up to 3 months before recruitment
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Organ transplant
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Plan to move out of greater Boston area during the study period
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Diagnosis of dementia, severe cognitive decline, end-stage renal disease, substance abuse, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, major cancer excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, and schizophrenia.
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 2022P002554