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Consumption of Potatoes, Avocados and Chickpeas and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

NCT01620567 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 48

Last updated 2019-07-19

Study results available
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Summary

Cognitive impairment is also a major risk factor for development of dementia later in life. Findings from the investigators studies suggest that the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin may be important in cognitive function in the elderly. Avocados are a source of these carotenoids. The investigators study evaluates long-term avocado 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. Based on these findings, the next logical step will be to investigate the ability of lutein and zeaxanthin contained in avocados 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 1 avocado/day at the end of 6 months, while no significant improvements will be observed in older adults given daily meals containing chickpeas and/or potatoes.

The proposed study is designed as a randomized, placebo controlled trial that tests the effects of 6 month supplementation with 1 avocado/day on cognitive function in older adults. Secondary analyses will determine whether baseline macular pigment (lutein in retina which canbe measured non invasivley) density predicts relative effectiveness of the intervention on cognitive function. Secondary outcomes include plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Conditions

Interventions

OTHER

avocado

1 avocado/day for 6 months

OTHER

potato or chickpea

1 cup potatoes or chickpeas/day for 6 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Tufts University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Elizabeth J Johnson, Ph.D. · Tufts University

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2012-08-31
Primary Completion
2014-08-31
Completion
2014-08-31

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT01620567 on ClinicalTrials.gov