NCT03812744

Brief Summary

This study was designed to characterize the changes in the brain and body associated with whole coffee cherry extract (WCCE). WCCE is a patented extract of whole coffee fruit (coffee berries) from coffea arabica. Whole coffee cherries are a source of naturally occurring nutrients. There are no known side effects or allergens associated with WCCE other than that which would be associated with a consuming typical cup of coffee. Previous studies suggest that increases in serum concentrations of both serum total and exosomal brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) may represent one of the mechanisms responsible for improved cognitive function after acute WCCE administration. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia. It can involve problems with memory, language, thinking and judgment that are greater than normal age-related changes. Furthermore, MCI is associated with reduced circulating BDNF. Due to earlier studies reporting the ability of WCCE to stimulate increases in circulating and exosomal BDNF, it has been postulated that WCCE may also acutely improve cognitive function (as measured using behavioral tasks and fMRI). The purpose of this study is to extend and elucidate the findings of previous investigations by examining the acute neurophysiological effects of WCCE using blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) employing a double-blind, randomized crossover design to investigate the acute effects of a single dose of WCCE or placebo (silica oxide) on neuronal activity in older participants.

Trial Health

100
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
8

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2016

Typical duration for not_applicable

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 1, 2016

Completed
2.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 30, 2018

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 30, 2018

Completed
14 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

December 14, 2018

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 23, 2019

Completed
Last Updated

January 23, 2019

Status Verified

January 1, 2019

Enrollment Period

2.2 years

First QC Date

December 14, 2018

Last Update Submit

January 19, 2019

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

  • Behavioral Measures - Change in Go/No-Go Reaction Time

    Response/reaction time for each stimuli will be recorded in ms using E-Prime. Reaction times will be calculated for correct and incorrect trials separately.

    Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)

  • Behavioral Measures - Change in N-back Reaction Time

    Response/reaction time for each stimuli will be recorded in ms using E-Prime. Reaction times will be calculated for correct and incorrect trials separately.

    Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)

  • Behavioral Measures - Change in Go/No-Go Accuracy

    Accuracy will be determined as the number of trials correct, and errors will be classified as errors of omission or commission.

    Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)

  • Behavioral Measures - Change in N-back Accuracy

    Accuracy will be determined as the number of trials correct.

    Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)

  • Change in Concentration of Neurometabolites

    Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measurements pre/post ingestion. The following are measured: glutamate, glutamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, N-acetylaspartate, choline, creatine, glutathione, myo-inositol, aspartate, taurine, and lactate. LCModel software performed automatic quantification of in vivo proton MR spectra by analyzing spectra as a linear combination of model spectra from sequence-specific simulations. Water-suppressed spectra were eddy current corrected and quantified using the unsuppressed water signal. Cramer-Rao lower bounds were used as a measure of fit with CRLB \> 50% rejected from further analysis. Metabolite concentrations were CSF-corrected, and quantified (in ppm).

    Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)

  • Change in Blood Levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

    Serum and exosomal BDNF concentrations

    Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)

  • Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Changes

    Functional magnetic resonance imaging blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal changes across tasks, and during resting state

    Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)

Study Arms (2)

WCCE

EXPERIMENTAL
Drug: Whole coffee cherry extract (WCCE)

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR
Drug: Placebo Oral Capsule [CEBOCAP]

Interventions

Eligibility Criteria

Age55 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Complaints of memory, verified by an informant
  • years of age or older

You may not qualify if:

  • MRI contraindications
  • Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or suspected diagnosis at the time of visit by study personnel
  • Significant cerebrovascular disease
  • History of cardiovascular disease
  • Current or recently prescribed medication known to interfere with peripheral and/or cerebral blood flow or vascular function

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Memory Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurobehavioral ManifestationsNeurologic ManifestationsNervous System DiseasesSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Jennifer L Robinson, Ph.D.

    Auburn University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Masking Details
Investigators, participants, and the sponsor were all blind.
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Model Details: Single-site, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over, within-subjects design. Study sessions are no more than 72 hours apart. Visits included pre-post assessments following ingestion of either placebo or WCCE.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

December 14, 2018

First Posted

January 23, 2019

Study Start

October 1, 2016

Primary Completion

November 30, 2018

Study Completion

November 30, 2018

Last Updated

January 23, 2019

Record last verified: 2019-01