Effects of Pecans on Brain Health in Older Americans With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Gut-brain Axis
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Summary
This project will investigate whether daily snack consumption can improve memory, mood, and overall brain function in people with cognitive impairment. Sixty participants, aged 50 and older, with cognitive impairment, will be randomly assigned to eat snacks, either pecans or pretzels, for three months. Researchers will also study how snacks (pecans and pretzels) may influence the body, including changes in gut bacteria, blood markers of inflammation, and signals that connect the gut and the brain.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 50+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * men and women \> 50 years-old * self-reported IQCODE (informant questionnaire on cognitive decline in the elderly) average score \< 4.5 * self-reported significant functional impairment (related to cognitive impairment) in basic or advanced activities of daily living as evidenced by the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) questionnaire. If answers to at least one endorsement in the "NO, dependence due to memory concerns". * Stable medications (≥ 12-week unchanged dose before baseline) with no planned changes during trial. * habitually consume less than two servings (2 ozs…
Interventions
- BiologicalPecan snack
Pecan
- BiologicalPretzel snack
Pretzel snack
Location
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences CenterLubbock, Texas