Clinical Trial: Effects of Flavonoids on Cognitive Performance in Healthy Young Adults

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Effects of Flavonoids on Cognitive Performance in Healthy Young Adults

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in cerebral blood flow, blood flavonoid levels, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, vascular reactivity and cognitive performance in young adults as a result of acute administration of a fruit-derived flavonoid-rich or flavonoid-poor drink.

Detailed Summary: There has recently been an increasing interest in the potential of flavonoids, plant derived compounds found in foods such as fruit and vegetables, to ameliorate age-related cognitive decline. Research suggests that flavonoids improve memory and learning, possibly as a result of their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects for example by increasing cerebral blood flow, protecting vulnerable neurons, enhancing existing neuronal function or by stimulating neuronal function. The research will initially involve a randomised cross-over human dietary intervention trial using two flavonoid-rich drinks (flavanone-rich and flavanone-poor) to investigate changes in cerebral blood flow in young adults (n=6; age range 18-30 years). Changes in cognitive performance and measures of serum BDNF levels will then be investigated in a second randomised cross-over trial using the intervention drink showing the greatest effect on cerebral blood flow in young adults (n=24; age range 18-30 years) and using a range of sensitive tests of executive function. The study is designed to measure acute effects of types of flavonoid supplementation and, as well as the primary cognitive outcome, will assess flavonoid/metabolite and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels in blood and changes in vascular reactivity.
Sponsor: University of Reading

Current Primary Outcome: Executive function [ Time Frame: change in attention between baseline and 2h ]

45-minute computer-based test battery of executive function tasks administered twice per visit day, at 0 hours (baseline) and 2 hours post-intervention. Visit days are at least one week apart.


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Cerebral blood flow [ Time Frame: change in attention between baseline and 2h ]

Non-invasive fMRI (arterial spin labelling) is conducted pre- and post-intervention at 3 time-points: 0 (baseline), and 2 and 5 hours post-intervention on 3 study days at least one week apart


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Reading

Dates:
Date Received: March 9, 2011
Date Started: October 2010
Date Completion:
Last Updated: November 22, 2011
Last Verified: November 2011