Strawberries, Cognition, and Vascular Health

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of strawberries on cognitive responses, motor control function, and vascular and cardiometabolic risk markers in healthy older adults.

Detailed Description
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To achieve the objectives, 40 healthy men and women ≥65 years of age will consume 26 g of freeze-dried strawberries in the form of a drink-mix daily for 8 wk. Using a randomized crossover study design, the effects will be compared to the effects of 8 wk intake of a placebo drink-mix (with a 4 wk wash-out period between trials). Cognitive function measurements will be performed at baseline and 8 wk. Additionally, at each timepoint, flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure will be measured followed by collection of fasting blood samples to assess glucose, insulin, blood lipids (free fatty acids, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol), inflammatory markers (interleukins 6 and 18), and markers of oxidative stress (oxidized LDL-C and malondialdehyde).

Official Title
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Impact of Strawberries on Cognition, and Vascular and Cardiometabolic Markers in Older Healthy Adults

Conditions
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Aging, Healthy Aging

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Strawberry
* Other: Placebo group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy men and women 65 years and older Exclusion Criteria: stroke or myocardial infarction neurological disorders: epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke known metabolic disorders: liver, renal clinically diagnosed diabetes drug treatment for lipid reduction or hypertension, psychiatric medication use

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 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: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Using a randomized crossover study design, the effects will be compared to the effects of 8 wk intake of a placebo drink-mix (with a 4 wk wash-out period between trials).
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Strawberry powder<br>Participants consume 1 package of standard strawberry powder (26 g) daily for 8 weeks | Other: Strawberry<br>* Freeze dried strawberry powder<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo group<br>Participants consume 1 package of placebo powder (26 g) daily for 8 weeks | Other: Placebo group<br>* Comparative placebo powder<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline in processing speed (cognition) at 8 weeks | using Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test | At baseline, at 8 weeks | 
| Change from baseline in executive function (cognition) at 8 weeks | using Dimensional Change Card Sort Test; Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test | At baseline, at 8 weeks | 
| Change from baseline in working memory (cognition) at 8 weeks | using List Sorting Working Memory Test | At baseline, at 8 weeks | 
| Change from baseline in episodic memory (cognition) at 8 weeks | using Picture Sequence Memory Test | At baseline, at 8 weeks | 
| Change from baseline in working memory (cognition) at 8 weeks | using Picture Vocabulary Test; Oral Reading Recognition Test | At baseline, at 8 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline in Vascular health at 8 weeks | to better understand how changes in the gut microbiota through fruit consumption are linked to changes in health outcomes, we will assess endothelial function via flow-mediated vasodilation and risk factors for cardiometabolic dysfunction in fasting blood samples collected at baseline and after 8 weeks. | At baseline, at 8 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Cognition, Motor control, Vascular health