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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06465888

Influence of Eggs on Cognitive Performance

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the nutrients in eggs in healthy adult's cognitive performance. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* How do the nutrients in eggs impact visual cognitive performance (VCP) in generally healthy older individuals? * Will omega-3 fatty acids in eggs improve VCP in generally healthy older individuals?

Participants will be randomly placed in one of five dietary treatment groups, including four egg whites, two whole regular eggs, two whole omega-3 fortified eggs, four egg yolks, and a no-egg control. Blood will be drawn at baseline. During the first two weeks, participants will eat assigned eggs, consume their usual diet other than the eggs, and keep five food logs. Cognitive performance testing will start on day 15 and be measured over a 10-day period using the Neurotracker (NT) 3-D program. Data on ancillary factors influencing outcomes will be collected, and food will be logged on each NT training day. Blood will be drawn at the end of the study and compared with baseline levels.

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Key information

Conditions

Cognitive Function

Age range

50 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Gilchrist Building

College Station, Texas, 77843, United States

About this study

Generally, healthy males or 2 years post-menopausal females between 50 and 75 years old will be recruited for this study. Potential subjects will communicate interest to researchers, and a standardized email with a consent form will be sent to persons of interest. Prospective participants will complete a preliminary questionnaire evaluating visual health to confirm inclusion criteria met, a study ID will be assigned. subjects will be randomly placed in a control group or one of four intervention groups: four egg whites, two whole regular eggs, two whole omega-3 eggs, and four egg yolks. Eggs will be provided to subjects based on their treatment groups; egg distribution will occur on days 1 and 15. Fifteen days of food logs, five days during the first 14 days of the study, and ten days of food logs each day the subjects train on the Neurotracker software. Food logs will be analyzed using Nutribase software.

Two weeks after the commencement of the study (Day 15), cognitive performance testing will begin. This testing will be conducted over a 10-day period, consisting of 15 training sessions. The Neurotracker (NT) 3-D program will be used for these sessions. On each NT training day, a daily data questionnaire will be used to collect data on ancillary factors that may influence the outcomes of the study.

Blood will be drawn at baseline, on day 15, and at the end of the study. Average nutrient intake and dietary patterns, baseline plasma draws, rate of change, and maximal performance on the NT software will be examined.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy men and post-menopausal women who are age 50 to 75 years

Exclusion criteria

  • Taking supplements with >6 mg L and/or >2 mg Z two months before the study
  • Self-reported diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or other eye conditions that may negatively impact visual cognitive performance

Treatment and study plan

Egg Whites

Other

Participants will eat four egg whites daily for the 4-week study

Whole Eggs

Other

Participants will eat two eggs daily for the 4-week study

Omega-3 eggs

Other

Participants will eat two Christopher Farms omega-3 fortified eggs daily for the 4-week study.

egg yolk

Other

Participants will eat four egg yolks daily for the 4-week study

Primary outcomes

  1. Cognitive performance

    Time frame: 15 cognitive sessions within 10 days over 2 week period

    Neurotracker 3-Dimensional software used to measure cognitive performance. Subjects performed 20 trials within a single training session obtaining a "speed threshold," (ST) the level at which the participant correctly tracked and selected the correct objects 50% of the time. The final ST for each training session and the progression over 15 sessions were the primary determinants of cognitive performance.

  2. Nutrient Intake (Lutein and Zeaxanthin)

    Time frame: Through study completion which may take up to 2 years.

    Serum will be drawn and analyzed for lutein and zeaxanthin content

Secondary outcomes

  1. Serum Lipid Levels

    Time frame: Through study completion which may take up to 2 years.

    Serum will be drawn and analyzed for lipoprotein subfractions

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Texas A&M University

Other

Collaborators

  • Egg Nutrition Center

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluating the Influence of Egg Nutrients on Visual Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Jun 20, 2024
Registry last updated
Sep 29, 2025

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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