Effect of Huperzine A on Cognitive Function and Perception of Effort During Exercise

NCT03445104 | Completed Early Phase 1

• 1 other identifier: 28661
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the effects of acute huperzine A ingestion prior to exercise on cognitive function and perceived effort in exercise-trained individuals. Huperzine A has shown the ability to improve cognitive function in dementia patients, and is currently marketed as a cognitive enhancing supplement. Study participants will receive either huperzine A or placebo during the first experimental session, and will receive the other substance during the second session.

Conditions

Cognitive Enhancement During Exercise

Keywords

Huperzine A; acetylcholinesterase inhibitor; AChEI; exercise; Physical performance; cognitive function; rating of perceived exertion; RPE

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Digit span

  Digit span will be used as a measure of working memory. During a period of two minutes, the participants will be presented with a series of digits at a rate of one digit per second, and will be required to to repeat them verbatim. If they succeed, they will be presented with a longer series by one digit. The longest series that they are able to correctly repeat will be the number of their score (i.e. if they are able to repeat a series of 7 digits, their score will be 7).

  This test will be implemented during a 2 minute window during the last 10 minutes of endurance exercise.

• Verbal Fluency

  Verbal fluency will be used as a measure of executive function. Participants will be instructed to generate words beginning with F, A, S, B, H, or R. Each participant will be randomly assigned a different letter at each session.

  This test will be implemented during a 1 minute window during the last 10 minutes of endurance exercise.

• Category Fluency

  Category fluency will be used as a measure of executive function. Participants will be instructed to produce as many words as they can for a particular category within one minute. Each participant will be randomly assigned a different category at each session.

  This test will be implemented during a 1 minute window during the last 10 minutes of endurance exercise.

• Stroop Effect Test

  The Stroop effect test will be used as a measure of information processing. Participants will be exposed to color names printed in an ink color that does not match the color name. They will be instructed to name the color of the ink and to ignore the color name.

  This test will be implemented during a 2 minute window during the last 10 minutes of endurance exercise.

Study Arms (2)

Huperzine A

EXPERIMENTAL

Huperzine A will be provided in the form of a single capsule for oral ingestion.

Other: Huperzine A

Rice Flour

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Placebo will be provided in the form of a single capsule for oral ingestion.

Other: Placebo

Interventions

Huperzine A OTHER

During one of the two experimental sessions, participants will be given huperzine A.

Huperzine A

Placebo OTHER

During one of the two experimental sessions, participants will be given a placebo.

Rice Flour

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Men and women of all ethnic and racial groups that participate in endurance exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity at least three days per week, for at least 20 minutes per session, for at least six months prior to this study

You may not qualify if:

• Anyone not within the age range listed in section 8a will be excluded. Individuals who require medical clearance to participate in vigorous exercise based on ACSM's risk assessment algorithm will be excluded from the study. The participant screening form will be used to identify signs and symptoms or medical conditions that require medical clearance to participate in vigorous exercise.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• St. Louis University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Allied Health Professional Building

St Louis, Missouri, 63139, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

huperzine A

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: early phase 1
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Randomization allocation will be performed by personnel not involved in data collection to maintain participant and investigator blinding.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Graduate Assistant

Model Details: The participants will be randomized to receive huperzine A or placebo during the first session. They will then receive the other treatment during the second session.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 26, 2018
• First Posted: February 26, 2018
• Study Start: January 16, 2018
• Primary Completion: April 5, 2018
• Study Completion: April 5, 2018
• Last Updated: May 31, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-05

Locations

US (1)