Causal Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Nutrition and Cognitive Dysfunction in the Metabolic Storm (Hyperglycemia and Sarcopenia) and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor

August 19, 2026 updated by: Ping-Ting Lin, Chung Shan Medical University
The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation (150 mg twice daily; 300 mg/day for 12 weeks) on coenzyme Q10 status, glucose parameters, BDNF, myokines, and cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) and hyperglycemia, either without sarcopenia risk or with pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia risk.

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

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are associated with impaired glucose and energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and nutritional imbalance. Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant nutrient involved in mitochondrial energy production and may have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and muscle function. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study investigated the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation in participants with MCI or AD and hyperglycemia, either without sarcopenia risk or with pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia risk. Participants received coenzyme Q10 300 mg/day (150 mg twice daily) or placebo for 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period and crossover to the alternate intervention for another 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, nutritional status, body composition, muscle function, cognitive function, quality of life, and depressive symptoms were assessed. Blood samples were collected to evaluate coenzyme Q10, glucose metabolism, BDNF, oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, myokines, and mitochondrial function. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on glucose metabolism, muscle and physical function, and related metabolic and neurotrophic factors in participants with cognitive impairment and hyperglycemia.

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.
51

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.
  • Name: Ping-Ting Lin, Ph.D.
  • Phone Number: 12187 +886-4-24730022
  • Email: apt810@csmu.edu.tw

Study Locations

  • Taiwan
      • Taichung, Taiwan
        • Chung Shan Medical University Hospital

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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • Hyperglycemia, defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥100 mg/dL or current use of glucose-lowering medication.
  • Either without sarcopenia risk or with pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia risk, as determined by calf circumference, handgrip strength, or muscle endurance.
  • Ability to swallow tablets.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cancer.
  • Severe cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, or renal disease.
  • Severe disability or aphasia.
  • Malnutrition (body weight change >5% within one month).
  • Current use of coenzyme Q10 supplements.
  • Current warfarin therapy.

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: Crossover 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.
Experimental: Coenzyme Q10 followed by Placebo
Participants received coenzyme Q10 300 mg/day (150 mg twice daily) for 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period, and then placebo for 12 weeks.
Other: Placebo
Starch
Dietary supplement: Coenzyme Q10
300 mg/day (150 mg/b.i.d)
Experimental: Placebo followed by Coenzyme Q10
Participants received placebo for 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period, and then coenzyme Q10 300 mg/day (150 mg twice daily) for 12 weeks.
Other: Placebo
Starch
Dietary supplement: Coenzyme Q10
300 mg/day (150 mg/b.i.d)

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
Fasting glucose
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Fasting glucose will be measured by an automated chemistry analyzer.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
HbA1C
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
HbA1C will be measured by an automated glycated hemoglobin analyzer.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Insulin
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Insulin will be measured by chemiluminescence assay.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
C-peptide
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
C-peptide will be measured by chemiluminescence assay.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Serum BDNF levels will be measured using a human BDNF ELISA kit.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Irisin
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Irisin levels will be measured using a human irisin ELISA kit.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period

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
Advanced Glycation End Product (AGE) levels
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
AGE levels will be measured using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Total antioxidant capacity
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Total antioxidant capacity will be measured using a Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
The MMSE score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Muscle mass
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Muscle mass will be measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Handgrip strength
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Hand grip strength will be measured with a grip dynamometer.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
SPPB is an objective measurement instrument of balance, lower extremity strength, and functional capacity.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Protein carbonyl levels
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Protein carbonyl levels will be measured using a colorimetric assay kit.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Serotonin levels
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Serotonin levels will be measured using an ELISA kit.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
ATP levels
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
ATP levels will be measured using an ATP determination kit.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Citrate synthase activity
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Citrate synthase activity will be measured using a citrate synthase assay kit.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease Measure (QOL-AD)
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
The QOL-AD score is the sum of all 13 items. Higher scores mean participants are more satisfied with their quality of life.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
The GDS score is the sum of all 15 items.
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration will be measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
6-minute walking speed
Time Frame: Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period
Walking speed will be calculated from the 6-minute walk test and expressed in meters per second (m/s).
Baseline and at the end of each 12-week intervention period

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.
Chung Shan Medical University

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.
National Science and Technology Council

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.
  • Study Director: Ping-Ting Lin, Ph.D., Chung Shan Medical University

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.
January 24, 2024

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.
February 12, 2026

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.
February 12, 2026

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 4, 2023

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 10, 2023

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 18, 2023

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 21, 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 19, 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.
  • CS1-22182

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.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings