AvoCog - the Effect of Daily Avocado Intake on Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Brain Aging
• Interventions: Other: Avocado Group

• Registration Number: NCT06137339
• Lead Sponsor: University of Kansas Medical Center

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if adding avocados to the diet of impacts cognition in 70 older adults, age 65-85, without dementia. We will test for change in functional MRI, cognitive performance, and brain blood flow. Intervention group participants will be asked to consume 1 avocado per day for 12 weeks. Participants in the control group will be asked to continue their normal intake for 12 weeks. Throughout the study, participants will be asked to perform cognitive tests, MRI, blood tests, and questionnaires.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-11-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-11-13
• Study First Posted: 2023-11-18
• Study Start: 2024-04-09
• Status Verified: 2024-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-08-20
• Last Update Posted: 2024-08-22
• Primary Completion: 2025-12
• Study Completion: 2025-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 70

Inclusion Criteria

• Males and females aged 65-85 years
• Good general health with no concomitant disease
• BMI 18.5 - 35 kg/m2
• Mini Mental State Exam ≥26
• Reports consuming ≤2 medium avocados per month
• Reports consuming ≤3 servings of carotenoid-rich foods per week and ≤3 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
• Skin carotenoid content <400

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Exclusion Criteria

• Unwilling or unable to consume avocado
• Latex allergy
• Consistently taking lutein + zeaxanthin supplements
• Skin carotenoid content ≥400
• Central neurological disease such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain tumor, etc.
• Serious medical risk: cancer requiring chemotherapy or radiation within the past 5 years, recent cardiac event (i.e. heart attack, etc.)
• Diabetes mellitus or uncontrolled hypertension
• Use of psychoactive or investigational medications
• Consumption of ≥3 alcoholic drinks per day or substance abuse
• Unable to undergo MRI

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Avocado Group	Avocado Group	Participants will consume 1 avocado per day and receive education to maintain usual caloric intake for 12 weeks and participate in 4 study visits.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in brain activity	Baseline and 12 weeks	MRI will be used to measure changes in brain activity during resting state, a working memory task, and executive function task.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in cerebral blood flow	Baseline and 12 weeks	MRI will be used to measure change in cerebral blood flow.
Changes in memory and executive function	Baseline and 12 weeks	NIH Toolbox will be used to measure change in cognition throughout the study.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Kansas Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Kansas City, Kansas, United States