Cognitive and Cerebral Blood Flow Effects of Vitamin C

This investigation is interested in the effects of high dose vitamin C on endothelial function in healthy humans. A high fat meal will be utilized to induce endothelial dysfunction. It is hypothesized that, via antioxidant actions, vitamin C will reverse these effects and in turn improve blood flow- the involvement of nitric oxide suggests that this could extend to cerebral blood flow. This will be monitored by trans cranial doppler flow meter and near infrared spectroscopy.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Cognition; Endothelial Function
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Vitamin C

Detailed Description

The acute effect of administering vitamins has received little research attention. The exceptions are a number of studies that have observed that single doses of a variety of vitamins, including Vitamin C, E and several B vitamins, ameliorate endothelial dysfunction in the periphery in participants who smoke, or suffer disorders such as diabetes mellitus and cardio-vascular disease. Endothelial function also varies in healthy people as a consequence of diet, and it is possible that antioxidant vitamins can attenuate the vaso-constriction associated with commonly consumed foodstuffs. Indeed, a study by Title et al (2000) showed that vitamin C improved endothelial function in the forearm following a glucose drink. Given the putative underlying mechanisms involved (e.g. nitric oxide synthesis) any improvement may well also extend to cerebral blood flow (CBF), and therefore improvements in aspects of cognitive function.

The study will therefore assess the effects of a single dose of 1000 mg of vitamin C on cognitive performance and cerebral arterial blood flow velocity (cBFV) using Trans-cranial Doppler, following a high fat meal that has been used in previous endothelial function research.

The high fat meal will be administered 2 hours before testing begins. Research shows that a meal of this type produces effects on the endothelium which are similar to those induced by dysfunctions such as diabetes i.e. blood flow restriction. No adverse effects have been reported with regards this methodology however.

In order to monitor the effects of vitamin C (or not in the case of placebo) on endothelial function and cerebral blood flow near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and trans cranial Doppler (TCD) recordings will be taken throughout (in the case of the former technique) and at intermittent stages (in the case of the latter). Both neuroimaging modalities, when used correctly) are entirely safe. Blood pressure readings will also be taken intermittently throughout testing sessions.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 24
• Phase: Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • Tyne and Wear
    • Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom, NE1 8ST
      • Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre, Northumbria University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years to 33 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male/Female,
• 18-35

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smokers,
• not proficient in English,
• are (or are seeking to become) pregnant, are currently taking illicit,
• over the counter/prescription medication (including the contraceptive pill),
• and/or dietary/herbal supplements.
• Food allergies or sensitivities that are relevant to the study,
• a history of/current head trauma,
• learning difficulties,
• ADHD and
• migraines.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: placebo	Dietary supplement: Vitamin C; Vitamin C will be administered at a dose of 1000mg. There will be at least a 48 hour wash out period between both conditions (placebo and vitamin C), with the order dicteted by Latin square.
Experimental: Vitamin C	Dietary supplement: Vitamin C; Vitamin C will be administered at a dose of 1000mg. There will be at least a 48 hour wash out period between both conditions (placebo and vitamin C), with the order dicteted by Latin square.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Endothelial function (using cerebral blood flow as a proxy measurement as measured by TCD and NIRS.	~100 mins

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Cognitive performance	~50 mins

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Northumbria University
• Investigators: Study Director: David Kennedy, Northumbria University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2010
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 22, 2010
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 22, 2010
• First Posted (Estimate): January 25, 2010

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): May 3, 2013
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 1, 2013
• Last Verified: May 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cognitive performance; Vitamin C; Cerebral blood flow; Near infrared spectroscopy; Trans cranial doppler
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Protective Agents; Micronutrients; Vitamins; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid
• Other Study ID Numbers: 24AD1