Blueberry Intervention Study for Brain Aging

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine if increased blueberry intake helps increase brain antioxidant (glutathione) and cerebral blood flow in older adults.

Detailed Description
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Consuming blueberries may improve brain health of older adults by increasing the antioxidant levels in the brain to protect nerve cells in the aging brain. Researchers think that there may be a relationship between the brain's antioxidant defense system and blueberry intake due to the high antioxidant content in blueberries. This study will investigate if blueberry intake may aid in enhancing glutathione levels and cerebral blood flow using special Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Participants will be asked to make a total of up to 4 visits to the research site. Participation will last about 3 months.

Official Title
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The Effect of Blueberry Consumption on Brain Health in Older Adults: in Vivo Measures of Cerebral Antioxidant and Cerebral Blood Flow

Conditions
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Brain Aging

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Intervention
* Dietary Supplement: Control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Speak English as the primary language and be able to read and write. Good general health with no concomitant diseases Low berry consumption (≤1 serving/week) Cognitively normal (Mini-Mental State Exam Score ≥24) BMI range=18.5-35 kg/m2. Exclusion Criteria: Presence of any central neurological diseases or prior major head trauma with loss of consciousness Presence of an active unstable and life-threatening systemic illness Presence of major psychiatric disorders within the past 3 years including depression, anxiety, and alcohol or drug abuse Presence of diabetes mellitus; metabolic syndrome or uncontrolled hypertension Use of psychoactive and investigational medications MRI contraindications (pacemaker, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, metal fragments, foreign objects or claustrophobia) Blueberry or salicylate allergy Pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years
Maximum Age: 89 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention<br>Participants will receive the dietary intervention. Participants will take 1 serving of blueberries/day. | Dietary Supplement: Intervention<br>* 26 g packets of freeze-dried blueberries (equivalent to 1 cup of fresh blueberries) will be given to participants to be consumed daily. Participants will be asked to consume 1 packet per day for 3 months.<br>* Other names: Freeze-dried blueberries;|
| Active Comparator: Control<br>Participants will receive a placebo. Participants will take 1 serving of placebo/day. | Dietary Supplement: Control<br>* 26 g packets of isocaloric carbohydrate-matched powder will be given to participants to be consumed daily. Participants will be asked to consume 1 packet/day for 3 months.<br>* Other names: Placebo;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in brain glutathione (GSH) levels | Measure of brain GSH with a 3 T MRI scanner | Change from baseline to 3 months | 
| Change in cerebral blood flow (CBF) | Measure of CBF with a 3 T MRI scanner | Change from baseline to 3 months |