Effects of Flavonoids on Cognitive Performance in Healthy Young Adults

The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in cerebral blood flow, blood flavonoid levels, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, vascular reactivity and cognitive performance in young adults as a result of acute administration of a fruit-derived flavonoid-rich or flavonoid-poor drink.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Neurodegeneration
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Fruit juice beverage

Detailed Description

There has recently been an increasing interest in the potential of flavonoids, plant derived compounds found in foods such as fruit and vegetables, to ameliorate age-related cognitive decline. Research suggests that flavonoids improve memory and learning, possibly as a result of their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects for example by increasing cerebral blood flow, protecting vulnerable neurons, enhancing existing neuronal function or by stimulating neuronal function. The research will initially involve a randomised cross-over human dietary intervention trial using two flavonoid-rich drinks (flavanone-rich and flavanone-poor) to investigate changes in cerebral blood flow in young adults (n=6; age range 18-30 years). Changes in cognitive performance and measures of serum BDNF levels will then be investigated in a second randomised cross-over trial using the intervention drink showing the greatest effect on cerebral blood flow in young adults (n=24; age range 18-30 years) and using a range of sensitive tests of executive function. The study is designed to measure acute effects of types of flavonoid supplementation and, as well as the primary cognitive outcome, will assess flavonoid/metabolite and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels in blood and changes in vascular reactivity.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • Berkshire
    • Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom, RG6 6AP
      • University of Reading

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 30 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• MMSE between 26 and 30
• 18-30 years of age
• Native or good English speaker
• Normal BMI/body fat composition
• No significant vision, hearing or language problems
• Able to consume the beverages

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any form of disease/major mental illness/chronic fatigue syndrome
• On medication for hypertension/elevated lipids/diabetes
• On medication known to impact endothelial function
• Gall bladder/gastrointestinal abnormalities
• Sensitivity to orange or apple
• High consumer of fruit, vegetables, fruit beverages
• High consumer of caffeine or alcohol
• Consumer of illegal substances
• Vegetarian/vegan/other dieter/vigorous exerciser
• Use of antibiotics in the previous 8 weeks
• Consumer of dietary supplements

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Fruit beverage	Other: Fruit juice beverage; 500ml fruit juice beverage, single dose per visit; Other Names: Tropicana Ruby Breakfast; Copella English Apple; Robinson's Lemon Barley Water
Experimental: Control beverage	Other: Fruit juice beverage; 500ml fruit juice beverage, single dose per visit; Other Names: Tropicana Ruby Breakfast; Copella English Apple; Robinson's Lemon Barley Water

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Executive function	45-minute computer-based test battery of executive function tasks administered twice per visit day, at 0 hours (baseline) and 2 hours post-intervention. Visit days are at least one week apart.	change in attention between baseline and 2h

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cerebral blood flow	Non-invasive fMRI (arterial spin labelling) is conducted pre- and post-intervention at 3 time-points: 0 (baseline), and 2 and 5 hours post-intervention on 3 study days at least one week apart	change in attention between baseline and 2h

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Reading

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: October 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 1, 2011
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 9, 2011
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 9, 2011
• First Posted (Estimate): March 10, 2011

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): November 23, 2011
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 22, 2011
• Last Verified: November 1, 2011

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: fMRI; Cognitive function; Cognitive performance; Executive function; Acute; Cerebral blood flow; Flavonoid
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Nerve Degeneration
• Other Study ID Numbers: UReading-2011-01