Effect of Cherry Concentrate on Brain Activation and Perfusion in Healthy Older Adults

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Effect of 8 weeks of cherry concentrate supplementation on cognitive function and brain perfusion in healthy older adults

Detailed Description
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The investigators will perform a double blind, randomised controlled study to determine whether cherry polyphenols improve peripheral vascular function and cerebral perfusion resulting in improved task related brain activation and cognitive function. 30 healthy elderly men and women 60-85y years will be recruited to complete 8-week supplementation with MC concentrate or an isoenergetic cherry placebo concentrate. Participants will be pair matched for age, sex, and cognitive function (Adenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III, ACE-III) and then randomised using a sealed envelope system to receive either placebo or cherry.

Official Title
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Effect of Cherry Concentrate on Brain Activation and Perfusion in Healthy Older Adults

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Cherry concentrate
* Dietary Supplement: Placebo concentrate


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: physically inactive consuming 5 or less portions of fruit per day Addenbrookes cognitive examination III score >88 Exclusion Criteria: physically active consuming more than 5 portions of fruit per day Addenbrookes cognitive examination III score <88 Contraindications for MRI

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years
Maximum Age: 80 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: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Cherry concentrate<br>8 weeks supplementation with montmorency cherry concentrate | Dietary Supplement: Cherry concentrate<br> <br> |
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo concentrate<br>8 weeks supplementation with placebo isoenergetic cherry concentrate | Dietary Supplement: Placebo concentrate<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Brain perfusion | Arterial spin labelling using MRI, measure will be reported as ml/min | Change from baseline to 8 weeks supplementation | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cognitive function | Battery of cognitive function tasks assessing executive function, global cognitive function score will be reported | Change from baseline to 8 weeks supplementation | 
| Brain activation (fMRI) | fMRI using a hippocampal biased task | Change from baseline to 8 weeks supplementation | 
| Plasma nitrite concentration | Plasma sample analysed via chemiluminescence technique | Change from baseline to 8 weeks supplementation |