Thiamine's effect on brain function in older adults after heart surgery

Thiamine Intervention and Cognition in Older Adults Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting- A Randomized Clinical Trial

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10811014

This study is looking at whether taking thiamine, a vitamin that helps with energy, can boost brain function in older adults aged 60 to 80 who are having heart surgery, with the hope of making their recovery easier and improving their quality of life.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-10811014 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates whether thiamine, a vitamin essential for energy metabolism, can help improve cognitive function in older adults who are undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The study will involve 52 participants aged 60 to 80, who will be randomly assigned to receive either thiamine or a placebo. Researchers will assess cognitive performance and measure thiamine levels in the blood to determine if thiamine can mitigate cognitive decline associated with heart surgery. The goal is to explore a low-cost intervention that could enhance recovery and quality of life for these patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 60 to 80 who are scheduled to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 60 or those not undergoing CABG may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cognitive outcomes and quality of life for older adults recovering from heart surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that thiamine supplementation can positively impact metabolic processes, but this specific application in post-CABG cognitive recovery is novel.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.