The Effect of Daily Consumption of Eggs on Cognitive Function in the Elderly
Completed · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Mild Cognitive Impairment
In brief
Cognitive impairment is also a major risk factor for development of dementia later in life. Findings from our studies suggest that the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin may be important in cognitive function in the elderly. The investigators have previously reported eggs to be a highly bioavailable source of lutein and zeaxanthin. Our study evaluates long-term egg intervention as a treatment strategy for age-related cognitive impairment which could possibly prevent the onset of dementia. The investigators have also shown that lutein supplementation significantly improved verbal fluency scores in healthy older women. Our studies have shown that egg interventions can significantly increase serum lutein concentrations in older adults. Based on the sum of our findings, the next logical step will be to investigate the ability of lutein and zeaxanthin contained in eggs to influence cognitive function in older adults. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a significant increase in cognitive function measures in older adults provided with meals containing 2 egg/day at the end of 6 months, while no significant improvements will be observed in older adults given daily meals containing egg substitute. The proposed study is designed as a randomized, placebo controlled trial that tests the effects of 6 month supplementation with 2 eggs/day on cognitive function in older adults. Secondary analyses will determine whether baseline MP density predicts relative effectiveness of the intervention on cognitive function. Secondary outcomes include plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT01621646
- Run by
- Tufts University
- People needed
- 44
- Starts
- 2012-07-01
- Expected to finish
- 2015-08-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2017-09-01
Who can join
Age: 50 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- men and women age > 50 years
- BMI 19-30 kg/m2
- lutein intake of < 3 mg/d
- DHA (docosahexaehoic acid) intake < 250 mg/d (including supplements)
- Mini mental state exam (MMSE) score > 24 (Appendix B)
- macular pigment density < 0.5 at 0.5 degrees
- Beck Depression Inventory < 20
- free of known disease;
- BMI 19-29 kg/m2
- must be able to give written informed consent
- have normal hematologic parameters
- normal values of plasma albumin
- normal values for liver and kidney function (Appendix A)
- no use of carotenoid, n3 fatty acid, multivitamin/mineral, or choline supplements (> 3 months).
Where it is running
- Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University — Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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