Improving Functionality in Older People

Improving Cognition and Brain Imagery Through Optimal Vitamin D Supplementation in the Elderly

The study will examine if overall functionality of older adults with Vitamin D insufficiency can be improved by optimal Vitamin D replacement over a period of approximately one year. A variety of outcome metrics will be examined including mental and physical parameters

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Vitamin D Deficiency
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Low dose Vitamin D3; Dietary supplement: High dose Vitamin D3

Detailed Description

The decline in brain function with aging is costly. The maintenance of optimal brain health is a priority among the elderly. Complex modifiable factors impact brain function such as education level, ongoing use of cognitive skills such as mentoring and social interaction. In most instances, substantial time and effort will be required to improve brain function in the elderly. There is an urgent need for an option that will yield rapid results. Investigator(s) believe intensive Vitamin D replacement presents such a solution.

Emerging scientific information supports an important role for Vitamin D in brain health. Much of this data is based on the association that higher Vitamin D values are linked to better brain function. However, an association does not prove a cause and effect. To prove that Vitamin D values play a causal role in cognition carefully controlled studies are needed. Currently, there are very few controlled interventional studies in the elderly demonstrating that Vitamin D levels can improve brain function. The 25(OH) Vitamin D is the best indicator of Vitamin D status. The normal range for 25(OH) Vitamin D is usually between 30 and 100 ng/ml. Preliminary data indicates that 25(OH) Vitamin D values of greater than 40 ng/ml are needed to improve brain function. Prior Vitamin D studies have used varying replacement protocols and types of Vitamin D such that stable 25(OH) Vitamin D values in the high normal range have rarely been achieved.

Brain Impairment usually occurs gradually in dementia, giving the patient and the provider an option to slow or halt progression of cognitive deterioration. Disruption in the white matter (reflecting the nerve fibers that conduct electric impulses) of the brain as well as reduction in brain volumes are linked to dementia and increasing chances of disability. These white matter abnormalities and reduction in brain volumes are commonly present in the elderly and are closely linked to Vitamin D deficiency. Animal studies using Vitamin D support a benefit to cognition. There is a paucity of carefully controlled clinical trials involving humans using appropriate Vitamin D replacement protocols. However, a few preliminary studies do support a benefit to cognition in humans over a study period ranging from 1-15 months. The present proposal addresses this relative deficiency by conducting a double blind controlled study in the Vitamin D insufficient community dwelling elderly.

The hypothesis is that daily 5000 IU Vitamin D3 will regress or at least prevent progression of white matter abnormalities or shrinking of brain volumes. There are specific anatomical defects in the brain linked to Vitamin D deficiency. These deficits include impaired visual memory and executive (higher brain functions). Investigator(s) will assess brain function by tracking changes in a battery of computerized tests that have been proven reliable in assessing brain function. These changes in computerized testing of brain skills will be matched to changes in brain imaging over the course of the 1 year study. Brain imaging will be done using a 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan (MRI).

Once the institutional review board approves this study, free living participants (> 65 yrs.) without prior brain disease or dysfunction will be recruited. The participants with Vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH) Vitamin D < 30 ng/ml) will be randomized into two groups. Both participant groups will be treated for 1 year with daily Vitamin D3 supplements. The standard of care group will get 800 IU daily whereas the active group will get 5000 IU daily. Cognitive tests, chemistry profile will be done at baseline and every 4 months for 1 year. The basic chemistry profile (blood work) includes kidney function and calcium levels which also provide safety monitoring. Based on published information, Vitamin D3 doses planned in this study are far below the doses required for toxicity. The brain MRI will be done at baseline, 4 and 12 months.

Additional strengths of this study include a multidisciplinary team with published expertise and experience in Vitamin D replacement, brain and memory function.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 14
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Texas
    • Lubbock, Texas, United States, 79430
      • Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 65 years to 89 years (Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Community dwelling subject (adults) aged between 65 and 89 years of age
• Subject should be ambulatory and living at home
• Subject should be capable of self-care
• Subject should be able to drive an automobile independently and without assistance
• Subject should agree to home visitation by CRI coordinators to assess pill counts or willing to come to TTUHSC for such a visit
• 25(OH) Vitamin D value < 30 ng/ml

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participant unable or unwilling to have follow up for the duration of the study
• Subject that cannot take a daily supplement
• Subject unable to have MRI imaging
• Subject on peritoneal or hemodialysis
• Subject unwilling to have multiple blood draws
• Subject with Sarcoidosis or diseases associated with hypercalcemia
• Subject currently taking supplements containing Vitamin D
• Subject with prior cerebrovascular disease or memory problems
• Subject with prior myocardial infarction or atrial fibrillation or on anticoagulants
• Subject on medications for memory or cognitive issues or mental ill-health
• Subject with life expectancy less than 2 years
• Subject receiving assistance for self-care
• Subject cannot pass motor screening test for valid assessment of cognition
• Subject on medications for Diabetes
• Subject on medication for hypertension

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Low dose Vitamin D intervention; intervention includes 800 IU Vitamin D3 replacement	Dietary supplement: Low dose Vitamin D3; Low dose arm-800 IU given daily
Active Comparator: High dose Vitamin D intervention; Intervention includes 5000 IU Vitamin D3 replacement	Dietary supplement: High dose Vitamin D3; High dose arm- 5000IU given daily

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle Strength	Muscle strength will be determined by hand grip	1 year
Gait speed	Gait speed will be determined by timed walking	1 year
Hippocampal and brain volumes	Using a 3 Tesla MRI scanner using FreeSurfer software. Brain volumes are estimated in cubic centimeters and hippocampal volumes are estimated in cubic millimeters	1 year
Body composition and regional fat distribution	Body composition will be determined by bioelectrical impedance. Regional fat distribution will be assessed by waist hip ratio. Obesity will be determined through body mass index and percent body fat estimation through bioelectrical impedance	1 year
Cognition	Using a battery of tests from Cambridge Cognition. Each test will be given an equal value and a composite cognitive score determined by summation	1 year
Quality of Life questionnaire	Quality of life will be determined by SF-36 Questionnaire by Rand	1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 19, 2019
• Study Completion (Actual): July 19, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 11, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 25, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): August 2, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 23, 2019
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 22, 2019
• Last Verified: July 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nutrition Disorders; Avitaminosis; Deficiency Diseases; Malnutrition; Vitamin D Deficiency; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Micronutrients; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Calcium-Regulating Hormones and Agents; Vitamin D; Cholecalciferol; Vitamins; Ergocalciferols
• Other Study ID Numbers: L18-111

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