Effects of equol supplementation on cognitive decline and arterial stiffness in older adults
Official title: Arterial Stiffness, Cognition, and Equol (ACE)
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11019802 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether taking a daily soy-based supplement called equol can help improve brain health and blood vessel flexibility in people aged 70 and older who don’t have dementia, by comparing the effects of the supplement to a placebo over two years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,591,586 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG074971-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019802 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 70 and older who do not have dementia and are interested in the potential cognitive benefits of equol supplementation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 70 or those already diagnosed with dementia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how a daily supplement of equol, a compound derived from soy, affects cognitive decline and arterial stiffness in individuals aged 70 and older who do not have dementia. Over a period of 24 months, 400 participants will receive either the equol supplement or a placebo, allowing researchers to compare the cognitive health and arterial function between the two groups. The study aims to understand the relationship between equol production, cognitive health, and the presence of white matter lesions in the brain, which are linked to aging and cognitive impairment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new dietary recommendations or supplements that help slow cognitive decline in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effects of isoflavones on cognition, but this specific approach focusing on equol supplementation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sekikawa, Akira — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Sekikawa, Akira
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Arterial stiffness, cognition, and equol: a trial to help aging adults
A large, multi-site study tests whether taking equol daily for two years can slow arterial stiffness, brain changes, and thinking difficulties in older adults without dementia.
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Equol for artery health and memory in older adults
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.