Effects of Peanut Intake on Cognitive Functions

Effects of Peanut Intake on Task-related Brain Activation and Cognitive Functions in Older Adults With Memory Complaints: A Randomized Controlled Study

The study will test the effects of Peanuts on task-related brain activation and cognitive functions in older adults with memory complaints.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Inflammation; Cognition
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Peanuts; Other: Habitual Diet

Detailed Description

The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of peanuts on cognitive performance and task-related brain activation on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in older adults. The specific aim of the study is to explore the neuroprotective effects of a peanut-enriched diet (2-3 oz of peanuts to replace 20% of the total energy of the habitual diet) for 12 weeks compared to a peanut-excluded habitual diet in elderly men and women with increased risk for CVD and self-reported memory complaints. The study population is older adults 60-80 years in age.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Loma Linda, California, United States, 92350
      • Loma Linda University School of Public Health

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 60 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Non-demented elderly between 60-80 years of age
• Self-reported memory complaints
• Two cardiovascular risk factors
• Stable weight for at least 6 months prior to recruitment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Peanut allergy
• Smoker
• Endocrine, metabolic and neuropsychological disorders
• Ineligible to get an MRI
• Consuming more than 3 servings/week of nuts including peanuts

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Peanut Group; Peanuts: 2-3 ounces per day to replace 20% of daily energy intake	Dietary supplement: Peanuts; 2-3 ounces of peanuts to replace 20% of total daily energy intake
Active Comparator: Control Group; Habitual diet abstain from eating peanuts	Other: Habitual Diet; continue with habitual diet and abstain from eating peanuts

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
changes from baseline in Brian activation	Changes will be assessed by Functional MRI (fMRI) on participants. there is no units of measure	baseline to 12 weeks
changes from baseline serum markers of inflammation	changes in serum inflammation markers which includes hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, ICAM/VCAM, eSelectin, F2-isoprostanes, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) will all be assessed using ELISA	baseline to 12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
changes from baseline in global cognitive composite score	The composite score will be calculated using the scores from the tests listed below. We will calculate the standardized scores of each test as the score of each participant minus the group mean and divide by its standard deviation. The composite score is the mean of the standardized scores. the 5 tests are: Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test, Digit Span, FAS Word Fluency, Symbol Digit Modalities Test	baseline to 12 weeks
Change in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (pg/mL)	changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (pg/mL) assessed by ELISA	baseline to 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Loma Linda University
• Collaborators: The Peanut Institute
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Sujatha Rajaram, PhD, Loma Linda University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 29, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 26, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): October 26, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 31, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 6, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): September 8, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 6, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 4, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: cognition; inflammation; oxidative stress; Peanuts
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Inflammation
• Other Study ID Numbers: 5210436

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No