Effect of Alpha Hope Dietary Supplement on Health and Cognitive Performance

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the present research study is to evaluate the claims about the supplement influencing cognitive function that may impact performance on cognitive task and related biochemical measures. The synergistic administration of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone and molecular Hydrogen (in the form of Alpha Hope) will be evaluated in adults without a diagnosis of disease (i.e., otherwise healthy adults-the population the supplement is marketed to) on certain biochemical markers, subject's self-assessed wellness, and functional measurements determined via computer tests.

Detailed Description
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Alpha Hope is a dietary supplement that contains Pyrroloquinoline Quinone and Magnesium-which has been shown to generate molecular hydrogen when mixed into water. Both Pyrroloquinoline Quinone and molecular hydrogen have been shown to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. Both Pyrroloquinoline Quinone and magnesium are widely used as dietary supplements, alone and in combination with other ingredients; however, to our knowledge, this is the first time that these two ingredients have been coupled together within one dietary supplement. Previous research has demonstrated a wide range of health benefits from Pyrroloquinoline Quinone. Of particular interest, Pyrroloquinoline Quinone has been shown to improve cognition when supplemented at daily dosages similar to that proposed in the present study. Molecular hydrogen has inherent anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidation properties and has therefore been studied in numerous animal studies, as well as human studies as a possible treatment for degenerative brain function. One method for generating molecular hydrogen, is using elemental magnesium, which reacts with water to generate molecular hydrogen. The purpose of the present research study is to evaluate the claims about the supplement influencing cognitive function that may impact performance on cognitive task and related biochemical measures. The synergistic administration of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone and molecular Hydrogen (in the form of Alpha Hope) will be evaluated in adults without a diagnosis of disease -(i.e., otherwise healthy adults- the population the supplement is marketed to) on certain biochemical markers, subject's self-assessed wellness, and functional measurements determined via computer tests.

Official Title
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Effect of Alpha Hope Dietary Supplement on Biochemical Markers of Health and Computerized Tests of Cognitive Performance

Conditions
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Cognitive Change

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Drink


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy (no diagnosed disease, including but not limited to metabolic, cardiovascular disease, or neurological disease) Able to consume calcium carbonate (the placebo) able to fast overnight (>10 hrs) Exclusion Criteria: tobacco user currently taking a physician recommended medication/dietary supplement for cognition or brain health, including donepezil (Aricept®), rivastigmine tartrate (Exelon®), galantamine HBr (Reminyl®), and memantine (Namenda®), modafinil (Provigil®), Ginkgo biloba, ginseng B vitamins, Vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins A & C, Vitamin D, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, or supplements with brain, cogni, neuro, or similar in their names. taking an over-the-counter medication or dietary supplement that can effect cognition/brain health, including Ginkgo biloba, ginseng B vitamins, Vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins A & C, Vitamin D, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, or supplements with brain, focus, memory, cogni, or neuro in their names. diagnosed with any of these conditions (contraindicative for calcium carbonate): high calcium levels (hypercalcemia), stomach/intestinal blockage, kidney disease (such as kidney stones) (Cleveland Clinic) taking any medication that interacts with calcium carbonate including ammonium chloride, methenamine, antibiotics like ciprofloxacin or tetracycline, captopril, delavirdine, gabapentin, iron supplements, medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole, medicines for seizures like ethotoin and phenytoin, mycophenolate, quinidine, rosuvastatin, sucralfate, thyroid medicine (Cleveland Clinic) consumption of alcohol-containing beverages within 24 hours of testing consumption of caffeine within 24 hours of testing strenuous exercise within 24 hours of testing self-reported active infection or illness of any kind pregnant or lactating allergic or hypersensitive to any of the components of the supplement and placebo: PQQ, magnesium, malic acid, dextrose, adipic acid, citric acid, natural flavor, blackberry leaf extract, calcium carbonate

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 70 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: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Subjects take randomly assigned condition for 4 weeks, then washout for 3 weeks before crossing over to other condition for 4 weeks.
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Alpha Hope<br>Each tablet contains 10 mg PQQ and 40 mg (19% DV) magnesium as well as malic acid, dextrose, adipic acid, citric acid, natural flavor, and blackberry leaf extract | Dietary Supplement: Drink<br>* Consume one tablet fully dissolved in 8 ounces. Take 2 tablets per day for adults (morning and evening) for 4 weeks<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo<br>Same formulation as experimental with 250 mg calcium carbonate replacing the magnesium and PQQ. | Dietary Supplement: Drink<br>* Consume one tablet fully dissolved in 8 ounces. Take 2 tablets per day for adults (morning and evening) for 4 weeks<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Digit Symbol Substitution test | Using the response key (at the top of the test), subjects select the corresponding number with a computer mouse that corresponds with the specific symbol displayed on the computer screen to obtain as many correct responses as they can within a set time frame (two minutes) | baseline | 
| Digit Symbol Substitution test | Using the response key (at the top of the test), subjects select the corresponding number with a computer mouse that corresponds with the specific symbol displayed on the computer screen to obtain as many correct responses as they can within a set time frame (two minutes) | 4 week timepoint | 
| AX-Continuous Performance Test | Subject press different keys on a keyboard to indicate if the stimulus is the target (AX) or non-target to measure accuracy and response time | baseline | 
| AX-Continuous Performance Test | Subject press different keys on a keyboard to indicate if the stimulus is the target (AX) or non-target to measure accuracy and response time | 4 week timepoint | 
| Go/No-Go test | Subjects press a key when Go is displayed and no key when No Go is displayed to test accuracy and reaction time. | baseline | 
| Go/No-Go test | Subjects press a key when Go is displayed and no key when No Go is displayed to test accuracy and reaction time. | 4 week timepoint | 
| irisin | Irisin is quantified from blood sample | baseline | 
| irisin | Irisin is quantified from blood sample | 4 week timepoint | 
| brain-derived neurotrophic factor | Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is quantified from blood sample | baseline | 
| brain-derived neurotrophic factor | Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is quantified from blood sample | 4 week timepoint | 
| Fibroblast growth factor 21 | Fibroblast growth factor 21 factor is quantified from blood sample | baseline | 
| Fibroblast growth factor 21 | Fibroblast growth factor 21 factor is quantified from blood sample | 4 week timepoint | 
| Self-reported Wellness Assessment | Subjects report their self-reported wellness using a visual analog scale from 0-10 with 0 being extremely low and 10 being extremely high | baseline | 
| Self-reported Wellness Assessment | Subjects report their self-reported wellness using a visual analog scale from 0-10 with 0 being extremely low and 10 being extremely high | 4 week timepoint | 
| Blood Pressure | Blood pressure (diastolic and systolic) is measured using an automated machine | baseline | 
| Blood Pressure | Blood pressure (diastolic and systolic) is measured using an automated machine | 4 week timepoint | 
| Heart Rate | Heart Rate is measured using an automated machine | baseline | 
| Heart Rate | Heart Rate is measured using an automated machine | 4 week timepoint | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Alpha Hope, Pyrroloquinoline Quinone, Molecular Hydrogen