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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03445104

Effect of Huperzine A on Cognitive Function and Perception of Effort During Exercise

This study evaluates the effects of acute huperzine A ingestion prior to exercise on cognitive function and perceived effort in exercise-trained individuals. Huperzine A has shown the ability to improve cognitive function in dementia patients, and is currently marketed as a cognitive enhancing supplement. Study participants will receive either huperzine A or placebo during the first experimental session, and will receive the other substance during the second session.

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Key information

Conditions

Cognitive Enhancement During Exercise Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Early Phase 1

Primary location

Allied Health Professional Building

St Louis, Missouri, 63139, United States

About this study

Huperzine A improves cognitive function by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This enzyme is responsible for the degradation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. inhibition of acetylcholinesterase may allow for greater availability of acetylcholine, which may allow for better nerve conduction and therefore enhanced cognitive function and possibly muscular contraction.

Huperzine A (200 mcg, Swanson®, Fargo, North Dakota) and placebo capsules will be administered in a single oral dose. The dose of Huperzine A to be used is comparable to previous research (Xu et al, 2011). Placebo capsules will consist of rice flour. The participants will ingest the capsules with 250 mL of water 30-45 minutes before exercise is initiated.

A paired-sample t-test with alpha set to p ≤ 0.05 for statistical significance will be used to analyze the data. Outcomes measured during the first and second experimental sessions will be compared to each other. The participants will be compared to themselves during previous sessions, so a paired sample t-test will be used to calculate the difference between the sessions. Data will be presented as means ± SE. Data analyses will be performed with Microsoft Excel; and other analyses may be performed as needed to gain further insights about the data.

A statistical power analysis was performed (G*Power software, version 3.1.5, University of Kiel, University of Dusseldorf, and University of Mannheim, 157 Germany) based on the following inputs: two-tailed paired t-test, alpha=0.05, desired power=0.80, sample size=15 subjects. The results indicated that a standardized effect size of 0.78 (i.e. large effect) will be detectable. As many as 20 subjects will be recruited and enrolled to ensure that complete data on 15 subjects are available in the event of screen fails and dropouts.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Men and women of all ethnic and racial groups that participate in endurance exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity at least three days per week, for at least 20 minutes per session, for at least six months prior to this study

Exclusion criteria

  • Anyone not within the age range listed in section 8a will be excluded. Individuals who require medical clearance to participate in vigorous exercise based on ACSM's risk assessment algorithm will be excluded from the study. The participant screening form will be used to identify signs and symptoms or medical conditions that require medical clearance to participate in vigorous exercise.

Treatment and study plan

Huperzine A

Other

During one of the two experimental sessions, participants will be given huperzine A.

Placebo

Other

During one of the two experimental sessions, participants will be given a placebo.

Primary outcomes

  1. Digit span

    Time frame: This test will be implemented during a 2 minute window during the last 10 minutes of endurance exercise.

    Digit span will be used as a measure of working memory. During a period of two minutes, the participants will be presented with a series of digits at a rate of one digit per second, and will be required to to repeat them verbatim. If they succeed, they will be presented with a longer series by one digit. The longest series that they are able to correctly repeat will be the number of their score (i.e. if they are able to repeat a series of 7 digits, their score will be 7).

  2. Verbal Fluency

    Time frame: This test will be implemented during a 1 minute window during the last 10 minutes of endurance exercise.

    Verbal fluency will be used as a measure of executive function. Participants will be instructed to generate words beginning with F, A, S, B, H, or R. Each participant will be randomly assigned a different letter at each session.

  3. Category Fluency

    Time frame: This test will be implemented during a 1 minute window during the last 10 minutes of endurance exercise.

    Category fluency will be used as a measure of executive function. Participants will be instructed to produce as many words as they can for a particular category within one minute. Each participant will be randomly assigned a different category at each session.

  4. Stroop Effect Test

    Time frame: This test will be implemented during a 2 minute window during the last 10 minutes of endurance exercise.

    The Stroop effect test will be used as a measure of information processing. Participants will be exposed to color names printed in an ink color that does not match the color name. They will be instructed to name the color of the ink and to ignore the color name.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

St. Louis University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Feb 26, 2018
Registry last updated
May 31, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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