Improving children's cognitive function and achievement with carotenoid supplements

Enhancing Children's Cognitive Function and Achievement Through Carotenoid Consumption

NA · University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NCT05177679

This study is testing whether giving carotenoid supplements to children aged 8 to 10 can help improve their thinking skills and school performance over a school year.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment288 (estimated)
Ages8 Years to 10 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (other)
Locations1 site (Urbana, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT05177679 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of carotenoid supplementation on cognitive function and academic achievement in pre-adolescents over a school year. It will employ a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design, comparing children receiving the carotenoid supplement to those in a waitlist placebo group. The study focuses on assessing cognitive control, relational memory, and academic performance among children aged 8 to 10 years. Participants will be monitored for changes in cognitive abilities and achievement throughout the 9-month intervention period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy children aged 8 to 10 years without learning disabilities and who have not taken lutein supplements recently.

Not a fit: Children with identified learning disabilities or those who do not meet the age and vision criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance cognitive function and academic performance in children through dietary supplementation.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of carotenoid supplementation for cognitive enhancement in children is relatively novel, previous studies have shown potential benefits of carotenoids on cognitive functions in other populations.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Child assent and parent/guardian consent
* 8-10 years of age
* No lutein supplementation within 6-months prior to enrollment (exception of multivitamins containing less than 1 mg lutein/day)
* Absence of learning disability (parent-reported)
* Tanner scale score ≤ 2
* 20/20 or corrected vision

Exclusion Criteria:

* Non-assent of child or non-consent of guardian
* Above/below 8-10 years of age
* Lutein supplementation within 6-months prior to enrollment (including multivitamins containing more than 1 mg lutein/day)
* Identified learning disability (parent-reported)
* Tanner scale score \> 2
* Not 20/20 or uncorrected vision

Where this trial is running

Urbana, Illinois

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Cognitive Change, Achievement, Macular Pigmentation, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Carotenoids, Child, Spatial memory

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.