Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01842022

The Effect of the Glycemic Load of Meals on the Cognition and Mood of Older Adults

A lower rather than a higher glycemic load (GL) meal has been shown to benefit cognition and mood, however, the data in older adults and those most prone to cognitive dysfunction, is limited and conflicting. One explanation is that the GL of a meal may interact with a person's pre-existing glucose tolerance (GT).

As older adults have a higher incidence of glucose tolerance and are more likely to experience memory problems the present study considers the interaction between the GL of meal in those with better or poorer GT.

The population studied will not have a history of diabetes or dementia. A battery of cognitive tests will be administered after meals sweetened with one of three sugars known to vary in the rate that they release glucose into the blood stream.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Dementia Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders

Age range

45 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Psychology, Swansea University

Swansea, Wales, sa2 8pp, United Kingdom

About this study

On day one subjects will take an oral glucose tolerance test and will then be divided into four groups depending on their glucose tolerance (how long values remain raised) and the tendency for values to subsequently fall to low values.

On a second occasion 155 healthy older adults, aged 45-80 years, will be randomly assigned to receive either a glucose, sucrose or isomaltulose based meal. All meals are matched on macronutrient composition and differ only in glycemic load. Cognitive performance and mood will be assessed 30, 105 and 180 minutes after breakfast. Measures of memory, attention, reaction times and mood will be taken.

The response to the three meals will be contrasted in those with different glucose profiles on day one

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy adults of 45 to 80 years

Exclusion criteria

  • Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
  • Dementia
  • Liver disease
  • Gastro-intestinal problems

Treatment and study plan

isomaltulose

Dietary Supplement

Isomaltulose sweetened meal will be given to each of four groups who differ in their glucose tolerance

Sucrose

Dietary Supplement

Sucrose sweetened meal will be given to each of four groups who differ in their glucose tolerance

Glucose

Dietary Supplement

Glucose sweetened meal will be given to each of four groups who differ in their glucose tolerance

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in episodic memory

    Time frame: 30, 105, 180 minutes

    Episodic memory assessed by asking subjects to recall a list of words

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in mood

    Time frame: 30, 105, 180 minutes

    Visual analogues scales used to report mood at six points during study

Other outcomes

  1. Change in reaction Times

    Time frame: 30, 105, 180 minutes

    1,2,4 and 8 lamps will be monitored and the time taken to extinguish will be measured

  2. Change in vigilance

    Time frame: 30, 105 and 180 minutes

    Digits will be generated at rate of 100 per minute. Subjects indicate when they see either three odd or three even in a row

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Swansea University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of the Glycemic Load of Meals on the Cognition and Mood of Older Adults With Differences in Glucose Tolerance

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2013
First posted
Apr 29, 2013
Registry last updated
Dec 11, 2014

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.