Cerebromicrovascular Effects of Time-Restricted Eating in Older Adults

June 25, 2026 updated by: University of Oklahoma
The central hypothesis of this study is that closer adherence to time restricted eating (TRE) will improve endothelial function, neurovascular (NVC) responses, resulting in improved cognitive performance, potentially through activation of SIRT1-dependent vasoprotective pathways.

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

This hypothesis will be tested by assessing the effect of TRE (not more than 10hr eating window each day for 6 months) in healthy adults (≥21 years of age).

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.
11

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 Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Oklahoma
      • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73117
        • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

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

21 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥21 years
  • Adequate hearing and visual acuity to participate in examinations
  • Ability to read and write in English
  • Competence to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Vision or hearing impairment that would impair the ability to complete study assessments
  • Active CNS disease including multiple sclerosis, uncontrolled seizures, and active brain cancer
  • Cerebrovascular accident other than TIA within 60 days prior to screening
  • Any other medical condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, would render the participant inappropriate or too unstable to complete the study protocol

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: Other
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

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.
Experimental: Time restricted eating
14 h of fasting daily (10 h of free eating)
Behavioral: Time restricted eating
14:10 daily fasting regimen

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
Neurovascular Coupling Using Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) will be performed during the cognitive n-back task. fNIRS approach generates data that represent a relative change in oxygenated hemoglobin measured over the cortical brain tissues. fNIRS data is analyzed using a pipeline based on the General Linear Model (GLM) approach created using the Brain AnalyzIR toolbox and implemented in MatLab. At the subject level, regression coefficients (beta values) are extracted to characterize individual neurovascular coupling response in the prefrontal cortex across all n-back blocks. It is expected that more difficult cognitive tasks will lead to increased neurovascular coupling responses in healthy individuals, but no clinically relevant ranges exist for this measure.
Baseline, 6 months

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
Neurovascular Coupling Using the Dynamic Retinal Vessel Analysis
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Flicker light-induced dilation of the retinal vessels (percentage increase over baseline diameter) will be measured in the right or left eye of each study participant using the Dynamic Vessel Analyzer (DVA, IMEDOS Systems, Jena, Germany). The change in retinal vessel diameters is tracked and reported as a %change from baseline, before and after treatment.
Baseline, 6 months
Neurovascular Coupling Using Transcranial Doppler
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Transcranial Doppler sonography will be used to measure the change in the blood flow velocities during the cognitive n-back task between before and after treatment.
Baseline, 6 months
Microvascular Endothelial Function
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Changes in microvascular endothelial function will be assessed using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) in the hand using the flow mediated dilation approach. The change in skin perfusion is calculated and reported as a fold change from baseline.
Baseline, 6 months
Macrovascular Endothelial Function
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Changes in macrovascular endothelial function will be assessed using sonography during flow mediated dilation approach. The change in brachial artery diameter is calculated and reported as a %change from baseline.
Baseline, 6 months
Deep Tissue Oxygen Saturation
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Transcutaneous deep tissue oxygen saturation will be measured using the inSpectra near infrared device. The data are calculated and reported as a %change from baseline.
Baseline, 6 months
Arterial Stiffness
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
The arterial stiffness will be measured using the pulse wave analysis approach (SphygmoCor, Atcor medical, Itasca IL, or similar). Analysis generated the augmentation index which will be used for comparison before and after treatment.
Baseline, 6 months
ECG
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
ECG will be recorded for heart rate variability analysis. The values of high frequency domain, low frequency domain, their ratio, as well as total power will be calculated and used for comparison before and after treatment.
Baseline, 6 months
Glycocalyx - Perfused Boundary Region
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Video recordings of the sublingual vasculature will be performed using the high definition video camera GlycoCheck (Microvascular health solutions). Data collected will include perfused boundary region (um), and will be used for comparison before and after treatment.
Baseline, 6 months
Capillary Density
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Video recordings of the sublingual vasculature will be performed using the high definition video camera GlycoCheck (Microvascular health solutions). Data collected will include capillary density (mm/mm^2), and will be used for comparison before and after treatment.
Baseline, 6 months
Red Blood Cell Velocity
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Video recordings of the sublingual vasculature will be performed using the high definition video camera GlycoCheck (Microvascular health solutions). Data collected will include red blood cell velocity (um/sec), and will be used for comparison before and after treatment.
Baseline, 6 months
Inhibitory Control and Attention
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test was used to assess inhibitory control and attention. The participant is asked to focus on a particular stimulus while inhibiting attention to the stimuli flanking it. Scores are fully adjusted to nationally representative normative sample of NIH toolbox test takers, accounting for age, sex, race, and education (mean = 50; SD = 10). Higher scores represent better outcomes.
Baseline, 6 months
Episodic Memory
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Picture Sequence Memory Test was used to assess episodic memory. Participants are shown a number of activities, and then asked to reproduce the sequence of pictures as it was presented to them. Scores are fully adjusted to nationally representative normative sample of NIH toolbox test takers, accounting for age, sex, race, and education (mean = 50; SD = 10). Higher scores represent better outcomes.
Baseline, 6 months
Working Memory
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
List Sorting Working Memory Test was used to assess working memory. The participant is asked to recall and sequence different stimuli that are presented visually and via audio. Scores are fully adjusted to nationally representative normative sample of NIH toolbox test takers, accounting for age, sex, race, and education (mean = 50; SD = 10). Higher scores represent better outcomes.
Baseline, 6 months
Language
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Picture Vocabulary Test measures receptive vocabulary administered in a computer-adaptive test (CAT) format. Respondents select the picture that most closely matches the meaning of the word. Scores are fully adjusted to nationally representative normative sample of NIH toolbox test takers, accounting for age, sex, race, and education (mean = 50; SD = 10). Higher scores represent better outcomes.
Baseline, 6 months
Executive Function
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Dimensional Change Card Sort Test was used to assess cognitive flexibility and attention. The participant is asked to match a series of picture pairs to a target picture. Scores are fully adjusted to nationally representative normative sample of NIH toolbox test takers, accounting for age, sex, race, and education (mean = 50; SD = 10). Higher scores represent better outcomes.
Baseline, 6 months
Processing Speed
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months
Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test was used to assess processing speed. Participants are asked to quickly determine whether two stimuli are the same or not the same. Scores are fully adjusted to nationally representative normative sample of NIH toolbox test takers, accounting for age, sex, race, and education (mean = 50; SD = 10). Higher scores represent better outcomes.
Baseline, 6 months

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.
University of Oklahoma

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: Stefano Tarantini, PhD, University of Oklahoma

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.
November 17, 2022

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.
January 10, 2024

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.
January 10, 2024

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).
July 22, 2022

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.
August 2, 2022

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.
August 4, 2022

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.
August 17, 2026

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.
June 25, 2026

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.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

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.
  • 14856

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

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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