Effects of dietary fatty acids on brain function in older adults

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 investigates how different dietary fatty acid compositions affect brain functioning in healthy older adults aged 65-75 years. Participants will follow two experimental diets with varying ratios of palmitic acid and oleic acid, preceded by a low-fat control diet. The study employs a crossover design, allowing each participant to experience both diets in a randomized order over a four-week period. The research aims to determine if reducing saturated fat intake can lead to improvements in cognitive function.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Men and women age range 65-75 years
* Normal cognition (see Research Strategy for details on cognitive assessments)
* "Healthy" (body mass index (BMI) of 20-40 kg/m2)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Significant cognitive or behavioral impairment (see Research Strategy for testing and exclusions) or pharmacological treatment for this (e.g. antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and sedative medications).
* Hormone replacement therapy, past 3 months.
* Hyper-androgenic condition.
* HbA1C≥7.5% and or Fasting plasma glucose concentration ≥130 mg/dL.
* Type 2 Diabetes if receiving any other therapy than metformin.
* Use of nicotine or ingestion of caffeine or alcohol during the study.
* Habitual fat intake \< 25% of kcal or strict vegetarian diet.
* Sleep apnea requiring continuous positive airway pressure at night.
* Lung, cardiac (heart failure or its treatment), liver disease, renal disease, cancer, and any other medical disorder known or thought to cause inflammation or abnormalities of cognition
* Actively training for an athletic event or participating in competitive sports (such as league play or tournaments)
* Intolerance or allergy to any of the food provided in the study.

Where it's running

• University of Vermont
  Burlington, Vermont, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Julie Dumas, Ph.D. — University of Vermont
• Study coordinator: Julie Dumas, Ph.D.
• Email: julie.dumas@uvm.com
• Phone: 1(802)847-2523

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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.