Investigating the Effects of Daily Consumption of Blueberry (Poly)Phenols on Vascular Function and Cognitive Performance (BluFlow)

July 6, 2021 updated by: Dr Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, King's College London

Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled, Parallel Trial Investigating the Daily Effects of Blueberry (Poly)Phenol Consumption on Vascular Function and Cognitive Performance in Healthy Elderly Individuals

Foods rich in certain (poly)phenols, particularly flavonoids, such as berries and cocoa, have been shown to improve measures of vascular function as well as cognitive performance in human intervention studies. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, parallel trial investigating the effects of daily blueberry (poly)phenol consumption on vascular function and cognitive performance in healthy elderly individuals. The study will be conducted at King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building.

Eligible subjects will be healthy males and females aged 65-80.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

To date no study has investigated whether daily blueberry consumption can induce an increase in cerebral blood flow, with subsequent improvements in vascular and cognitive function. In this study, the investigators aim to directly link daily blueberry consumption with improved vascular function, increased cerebral blood flow and positive cognitive outcomes in healthy elderly individuals. The investigators will use a large group of elderly individuals' representative of a healthy population, both males and females, aged 65-80 years to evaluate the health effects of daily blueberry consumption.

The main aim is to investigate whether improvements in vascular and cognitive function previously seen after blueberry consumption can be seen following 3-months daily consumption in elderly individuals, and whether enhanced cognitive performance is correlated with increased cerebral blood flow. The investigators hypothesise that daily consumption of an anthocyanin rich blueberry drink will improve cognitive performance and vascular function, increasing cerebral blood flow, in healthy older individuals.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
53

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United Kingdom
      • London, United Kingdom, SE1 9NH
        • Franklin-Wilkins Building, King's College London

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

61 years to 76 years (Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Participants will include 60 healthy male and female volunteers, aged 65-80.
  • Volunteers will be able to understand the nature of the study and able to give signed written informed consent.
  • Subjects willing to maintain their normal eating/drinking habits and exercise habits to avoid changes in body weight over the duration of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Manifest cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral artery disease.
  • Hypertensive, as defined as SBP superior or equal to 140 mmHg or DBP superior or equal to 90 mmHg.
  • Obese participants, defined as BMI superior or equal to 30.
  • Diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.
  • Acute inflammation, terminal renal failure or malignancies.
  • Allergies to berries or another significant food allergy.
  • Subjects under medication or on vitamin/dietary supplements (within 2 weeks of baseline).
  • Subjects who have lost more than 10% of their weight in the past 6 months or are currently on a diet.
  • Subjects who reported participant in another study within one month before the study starts.
  • Subjects who smoke cigarettes irregularly.
  • MCI or dyslexic or unable to complete the cognitive function tasks for any reason such as visual impairments.
  • Subjects who require chronic antimicrobial or antiviral treatment.
  • Subjects with unstable psychological condition.
  • Subjects with history of cancer, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular incident.
  • Any reason or condition that in the judgment of the clinical investigator(s) may put the subject at unacceptable risk or that may preclude the subject from understanding or complying with the study's requirements.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Matched for macronutrients, micronutrients and fibre
Dietary supplement: Placebo
Identical formulation as the treatment matched for fibre and vitamin C
Active Comparator: Wild Blueberry Powder
Formulation of a 100% blueberry (freeze-dried whole fruit) drink
Dietary supplement: Wild Blueberry powder
Powdered extract obtained from wild blueberries. A daily administration of 27g wild blueberry powder will be administered.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Endothelial Function
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Changes in flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery (FMD) from baseline after 12-week consumption of blueberry vs control
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Cognitive function
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Changes in cognitive function from baseline after 12-week consumption of blueberry vs control. Cognitive testing involves the participant conducting tasks administered on a tablet-style laptop. The participants will be conducting these tasks whilst cerebral blood flow measurements are taking place. The cognitive testing battery will consist of 4 tasks which are Auditory Verbal learning task, Corsi Blocks, Switching task and Serials 3's and 7's, including a mood assessment (PANAS).
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv)
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Changes in cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) from baseline after 12-week consumption of blueberry vs control. Trans-cranial blood flow will be assessed by Non-imaging transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). Variables measured include resting and active mean blood flow velocity (cm/s).
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Office systolic blood pressure
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Changes from baseline office systolic blood pressure (mmHg) after 12-week consumption of blueberry vs control.
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Pulse wave velocity (PWV)
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Determine the changes in Pulse wave velocity (PWV) from baseline after 12-week consumption of blueberry vs control.
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Augmentation Index (AIx)
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Changes in augmentation Index (AIx) using a Sphygmocor device post consumption of a placebo or blueberry treatment
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Determine the effect of the blueberry extract vs Placebo on 24-hour systolic blood pressure using a monitor, at 12 weeks post consumption. Variables include mean asleep, awake and total 24 h systolic blood pressure
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Mood
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Assessment using a self-reported questionnaire using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS).PANAS (The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) to measure mood, where the participants will need to answer 20 questions using a 5-point likert scale that ranges from (1) not at all to (5) extremely. Dependent variables are composite positive affect and negative affect scores obtained by summing responses to positive or negative PANAS items, respectively.
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Change in Blood lipids concentration (Total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides)
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Determine the effect of the blueberry extract vs Placebo on blood lipids (Total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides), at 12 weeks post consumption.
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Plasma blueberry (poly)phenol metabolites
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Measured by liquid chromotography- mass spectrometry (LC/MS) 0 and 2 hours post consumption
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Microbiome analysis
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Stool sample collection involving an all-in-one kit for self-collection and stabilization of microbial DNA from faeces for gut microbiome profiling.
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Urine blueberry polyphenol metabolites
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Collected over a 24 hour period. Measured by liquid chromotography- mass spectrometry (LC/MS) 0 and 2 hours post consumption
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Number of volunteers with treatment-related adverse events
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
The number of volunteers with treatment-related adverse events will be assessed by questionnaires and interviews.
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Pulsatility index (PI)
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Changes in pulsatility index (PI) from baseline after 12-week consumption of blueberry vs control. Trans-cranial blood flow will be assessed by Non-imaging transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). Variables measured include resting and active PI (cm/s.
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Office diastolic blood pressure
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Changes from baseline office diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) after 12-week consumption of blueberry vs control.
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention
Determine the effect of the blueberry extract vs Placebo on 24-hour diastolic blood pressure using a monitor, at 12 weeks post consumption. Variables include mean asleep, awake and total 24 h diastolic blood pressure
Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
King's College London

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
University of Reading

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, PhD, Principal Investigator

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 4, 2019

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 17, 2020

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 17, 2020

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 2, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 9, 2019

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 10, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 12, 2021

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 6, 2021

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • BluFlow

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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