NCT06495190

Brief Summary

This NIH project will examine the effects of routine flavonoid-rich blueberry intake (12-weeks), combined with or in the absence of regular moderate exercise, on cognitive function in a clinical population of older participants identified as experiencing age-related cognitive changes. This project's hypothesis is that the combination of flavonoid-rich diet and routine physical activity may potentiate cognitive benefits and reduce cognitive decline in an aging population, via mechanisms mediated by the gut microbiome.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
240

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
33mo left

Started Jan 2025

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

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 Progress34%
Jan 2025Dec 2028

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 3, 2024

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 10, 2024

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2025

Completed
3 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 31, 2027

Expected
1 year until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 31, 2028

Last Updated

March 12, 2025

Status Verified

March 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

3 years

First QC Date

July 3, 2024

Last Update Submit

March 7, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

agingflavonoidsexercisegut microbiome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Cognition

    Cognitive function using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Assessment Battery (CANTAB, Cambridge Cognition, Ltd).

    Change from pre-study to 6-weeks and 12-weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Maximal aerobic capacity

    Change from pre-study to 6-weeks and 12-weeks

  • Gut microbiome

    Change from pre-study to 6-weeks and 12-weeks

  • Urine blueberry metabolites

    Change from pre-study to 6-weeks and 12-weeks

  • Electrophysiological procedures (ERP) using the Geodesic Sensor Net

    Change from pre-study to 6-weeks and 12-weeks

Study Arms (4)

Blueberry + walking

EXPERIMENTAL

Blueberry intake combined with walking exercise.

Dietary Supplement: BlueberryBehavioral: Walking

Blueberry + stretching

EXPERIMENTAL

Blueberry intake combined with stretching exercise.

Dietary Supplement: BlueberryBehavioral: Stretching

Placebo + walking

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Placebo intake combined with walking exercise.

Behavioral: WalkingDietary Supplement: Placebo

Placebo + stretching

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Placebo intake combined with stretching exercise.

Dietary Supplement: PlaceboBehavioral: Stretching

Interventions

BlueberryDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

50 g/d blueberry powder supplement

Blueberry + stretchingBlueberry + walking
WalkingBEHAVIORAL

Five 45-min walking sessions per week

Also known as: Stretching
Blueberry + walkingPlacebo + walking
PlaceboDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

50 g/d placebo powder supplement

Placebo + stretchingPlacebo + walking
StretchingBEHAVIORAL

Five 45-min stretching sessions per week

Blueberry + stretchingPlacebo + stretching

Eligibility Criteria

Age65 Years - 85 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsOlder Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA test) of 24.1-25.2 that indicates mild cognitive decline. The MoCA test score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores from 26 to 30 considered normal.
  • Healthy, non-smoking male or female participants 65 to 85 years of age.
  • Capable of engaging in a supervised 12-week exercise training program (brisk walking or stretching).
  • Physically inactive (defined as less than 150 min/week moderate or less than 75 minutes vigorous aerobic and/or resistance exercise during the past 4 weeks).
  • Willingness to be randomized to one of four groups.
  • Willingness to provide blood, urine, and fecal samples (3 each),
  • Willingness to avoid blueberry intake during the 12-weeks study (other than what is provided through the study).
  • Willingness to maintain current diet and physical activity patterns during the study (other than what is prescribed as a part of the study), and make no formal attempts to lose or gain body weight.
  • Willingness to be a participant in this study only and not enter any other studies.

You may not qualify if:

  • Allergy to blueberries.
  • Diagnosis of Type I or Type 2 diabetes.
  • Chronic cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal condition that is uncontrolled (controlled defined as stable for 6 months or more).
  • History of signs or symptoms during rest or physical activity such as chest discomfort, unreasonable breathlessness, dizziness, fainting, or blackouts.
  • Use of any prescription or over-the-counter drug intended to support cognition or with known cognitive side effects.
  • Any other concurrent condition or use of medications or supplements which, in the opinion of the study clinician would preclude participation in this study.
  • Diagnosis of dementia.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Appalachian State University Human Performance Lab, North Carolina Research Campus

Kannapolis, North Carolina, 28081, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive DysfunctionLymphoma, FollicularMotor Activity

Interventions

blueberry extractWalking

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition DisordersNeurocognitive DisordersMental DisordersLymphoma, Non-HodgkinLymphomaNeoplasms by Histologic TypeNeoplasmsLymphoproliferative DisordersLymphatic DiseasesHemic and Lymphatic DiseasesImmunoproliferative DisordersImmune System DiseasesBehavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

LocomotionMovementMusculoskeletal Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological PhenomenaExerciseMotor Activity

Study Officials

  • David C Nieman, DrPH

    Appalachian State Univ

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

David C Nieman, DrPH

CONTACT

Camila A Olson, PhD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
Masking Details
Investigators and study participants will be blind to treatment allocation, with the blueberry and placebo supplements administered in identical packets.
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: This study will employ a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, parallel research design, with participants assigned to one of 4 arms for the 12-week trial period: 1) blueberry + walking; blueberry + stretching; placebo + walking; placebo + stretching.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 3, 2024

First Posted

July 10, 2024

Study Start

January 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2028

Last Updated

March 12, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

Upon reasonable request.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR, ANALYTIC CODE
Time Frame
When the study is completed in 2028 and will be available for five years afterwards.
Access Criteria
Researchers with relevant expertise and a track record in the research area related to the IPD can request access. Researchers must submit a research proposal outlining their research goals, analysis plan, and how the IPD will be used.

Locations