Use Muscadine Wine Nutraceuticals to Improve Brain Health, Cognition, and Mental Health

August 5, 2026 updated by: University of Florida

Acute and Chronic Impacts of Muscadine Wine Polyphenols on Cognition, Memory, Mood, and Anxiety in Adults Over 50 Years of Age

Previous studies have shown that polyphenol-rich foods can positively affect cognitive functions, memory, and mood in humans. We hypothesize that both acute and chronic intake of muscadine wine polyphenols will improve cognitive performance and mood through regulating the HPA axis, alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress, and/or inhibiting monoamine oxidase activities

Study Overview

Status

Status

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

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

Although the exact biological mechanisms for depression and Alzheimer's Disease are not fully understood, it's believed that they are caused by a combination of factors. An increasing amount of scientific research has proposed several possible pathophysiologies linking depression and AD. For example, increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the nervous system, oxidative stress induced by chronic inflammation leads to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and disturbance in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor signal pathway. Polyphenol has been well recognized for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Previous studies have shown that polyphenol-rich food such as concord grape juice, blueberries, blackcurrants, and green oats positively affect cognition, memory, and mood in humans. However, no one has examined the effects of muscadine wine polyphenol on cognitive and mental health. In addition, if they do have effects, through what mechanism? This clinical trial will allow us to investigate the questions raised. We hypothesize that intake of muscadine wine polyphenols enhances cognition and memory and improve depression and anxiety in healthy adults over 50 year-old via regulating the HPA axis, alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress, and/or inhibiting monoamine oxidase activities. The research will provide the first clinical evidence of how muscadine wine polyphenols affect the brain and mental health.

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 (Estimated)

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.
25

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

  • Name: Kylee Mai
  • Phone Number: 479-203-8170
  • Email: cmai1@ufl.edu

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Florida
      • Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32611
        • Food Science and human nutrition department at University of Florida

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

46 years to 61 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Healthy
  • BMI (18.5-29.9)
  • Body weight ≥110 pounds

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy
  • Breast-feeding
  • Smokers
  • Diabetic
  • Heavy drinkers
  • Subjective but not clinically diagnosed cognitive impairment (Montreal cognitive assessment score <26),
  • Inability to understand the cognitive function tasks
  • Intake of medication that might influence the outcome of the study (e.g. psychostimulant)
  • cannabis product user
  • Clinically diagnosed mental illnesses
  • Cardiovascular and neurological disorders
  • Uncontrolled hypertension

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: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Single

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.
Active Comparator: Intervention-Placebo
Participants in this arm will consume muscadine wine polyphenol for six weeks and then placebo for another six weeks. The two phases are separated by a 21-day washout period
Other: Muscadine Wine Polyphenol
dealcoholized muscadine wine with alcohol content <0.5% with addition of 50ppm of sodium metabisulfite for preservation
Other Names:
  • Dealcoholized Muscadine Wine
Other: Placebo
this placebo beverage is formulated with matching sugar and organic acid content to the muscadine wine polyphenol. Food coloring is added to match the color of the intervention. 50ppm of sodium metabisulfite for preservation
Active Comparator: Placebo-Intervention
Participants in this arm will first consume placebo for six weeks and then muscadine wine polyphenol for another six weeks. The two phases are separated by a 21-day washout period
Other: Muscadine Wine Polyphenol
dealcoholized muscadine wine with alcohol content <0.5% with addition of 50ppm of sodium metabisulfite for preservation
Other Names:
  • Dealcoholized Muscadine Wine
Other: Placebo
this placebo beverage is formulated with matching sugar and organic acid content to the muscadine wine polyphenol. Food coloring is added to match the color of the intervention. 50ppm of sodium metabisulfite for preservation

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
Change from baseline cognitive performance score after intervention/placebo
Time Frame: Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Participants will complete the NIH Toolbox cognitive battery. The test battery incorporates multiple tests that assess various aspects of cognitive performance. The list of tests and the function they measure are the following.1. Flanker inhibitory control and attention test (executive function): scoring is based on a combination of accuracy and reaction time. A 2-vector scoring method is employed that uses accuracy and reaction time, where each of these vectors ranges in value between 0 and 5, and the computed score, combining each vector score, ranges in value 0-10. The higher the score the better the performance. 2. Dimensional Change Card Sort (cognitive flexibility): scoring is the same as Flanker's test.
Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Change from baseline cognitive performance score after intervention/placebo - continued
Time Frame: Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
3. Picture Sequence Test (episodic memory): Item Response Theory (IRT) is used to score this test. score known as a theta score is calculated for each participant; it represents the relative overall ability or performance of the participant. A theta score is very similar to a z-score, which is a statistic with a mean of zero and a standard deviation of one. The higher the score, the better the performance. 4. List Sorting Test (working memory: scored by summing the total number of items correctly recalled and sequenced on the tests, which can range from 0-26. 5. Pattern and Comparison Test (processing speed): The participant's raw score is the number of items answered correctly in 85 seconds of response time, with a range of 0-130. higher score means better performance. Both individual test scores and composite scores will be compared to baseline score
Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Change from baseline cognitive performance score after intervention/placebo - continued
Time Frame: Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
6. Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test assesses immediate and delayed (30min) recall of a given list of words that is repeated 5 times. The number of correct words recalled and intrusion words (extraneous word offered by the participant that does not appear on the list) are recorded for scoring
Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Change from baseline monoamine oxidase (MAOs) activity
Time Frame: Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Blood samples will be drawn immediately after the completion test battery. Blood plasma level of monoamine oxidase (MAOs) activity will be determined using the Amplex Red Monoamine Oxidase Assay Kit to assess the inhibitory effects of muscadine wine/juice on MAOs.
Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Change from baseline neurotransmitters
Time Frame: Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Plasma levels of acetylcholine, dopamine, melatonin, serotonin, epinephrine, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) will be quantified using the targeted metabolomic method on UHPLC-MS/MS
Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Change from baseline brain-derived neurotrophic factors
Time Frame: Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
plasma BDNF will be measured using ELISA
Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Change from baseline cortisol, TNF-α, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and LPS binding protein
Time Frame: Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Plasma levels will be measured using ELISA
Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)

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
Change from baseline mood and anxiety score after intervention/placebo
Time Frame: Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)

Participants will complete the NIH Toolbox emotion battery. The test battery include two self-report measure,

  1. Positive affect survey (assess mood): 5-point scale with options ranging from "not at all" to "very much." higher scores are indicative of more positive affect
  2. Fear-Affect Survey (assess anxiety): 5-point scale with options ranging from "never" to "always." higher scores are indicative of more feelings of fear and anxiety
Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Change from baseline depression score after intervention/placebo
Time Frame: Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Depression score will be assessed with Beck's Depression inventory. The questionnaire consists of 21 items with a four point scale ranges between 0-3. The higher the total score the more severe the depression.
Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Change from baseline pro-inflammatory cytokines
Time Frame: Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)
Inflammatory response will be evaluated by measuring the plasma level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha using Elisa Kits
Baseline, acute (4-hour post single dose), chronic (end of six week)

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 Florida

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: Liwei Gu, PhD, University of Florida

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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.
August 30, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

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.
December 31, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

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.
December 31, 2028

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 12, 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.
September 12, 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.
September 15, 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 10, 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.
August 5, 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.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

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.
  • IRB202300014

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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