Effects of beef consumption on brain health and cognitive function

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates how consuming beef affects cognitive and brain health in healthy young adults aged 19-24. Participants will engage in a 12-week dietary intervention where they will receive either 5-ounce or 1-ounce portions of ready-to-eat beef each week. The study will assess changes in executive function, memory, psychological well-being, and sleep quality, alongside brain health measures obtained through MRI imaging. Compliance will be monitored through weekly surveys regarding beef consumption.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
* Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and lifestyle considerations and availability for the duration of the study
* Males and females; Age 19-24
* Willingness to adhere to the ready-to-eat beef intervention regimen
* Lives within 75 miles of Lincoln, NE
* BMI between 18.5 and 39.9
* Not pregnant or nursing
* No history of cognitive or metabolic diseases indicated by diagnosis, including neurodegenerative disease, stroke, Type 1 and 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, kidney disease, and cancer
* No history of eating or anxiety disorders
* Willing to discontinue dietary supplement use throughout the duration of the study, if they are consuming supplement at the time of the registration
* No known contraindication to MRI scans as determined by the MRI screening survey questions

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current use of medications that may affect their responses to dietary intervention, such as amphetamines, antidepressants, anti-diabetic medications, laxatives, antibiotics, statins and diuretics.
* Known intolerance or allergy to beef
* Current use of nicotine products, including vaping
* Previous use of nicotine products, including vaping, within the recent 6 months at the time of pre-screening

Where it's running

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  Lincoln, Nebraska, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Aron Barbey, PhD — University of Nebraska Lincoln
• Study coordinator: Douglas Schultz, PhD
• Email: dschultz14@unl.edu
• Phone: 402-472-1843

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.