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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01540123

The Time Effects of a Berry Extract Upon Cerebral Blood Flow.

Berry fruits are widely recognised as natural functional food products. They contain several different phytochemicals which have potential to modulate human health and wellbeing. There is however some debate regarding the mechanisms driving their health promoting properties.

Despite the wide health promoting properties of fruit extracts reported in the literature, considerable interest over the past decade has primarily been focused on their roles in reducing risk factors associated with cancer and heart disease. Consequently, there remains a paucity of actual scientific information on their role in modulating brain functions, such as mood, learning and memory, any decrements of which have very negative impacts on the quality of life.

Fruit phytochemicals from other sources have been shown to mediate both peripheral and cerebral blood flow. However, a modulation of cerebral blood flow has not been shown with berries as yet. Cerebral blood flow must be maintained to ensure a constant delivery of oxygen and glucose as well as the removal of waste products. The modulation of cerebral blood flow via supplementation of berry polyphenols could therefore be a potential way to positively modulate human cognitive behavior. The link between acute increases in cerebral blood flow and increased cognition is currently a little weak but it could give a good platform for long term behavioral and health benefits via increased cerebral/peripheral blood flow and decreased MAO-B activity.

The aims of the study are therefore to investigate the impact of the berry extract on digital volume pulse, blood pressure and cerebral blood flow.

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Key information

Conditions

Cerebral Blood Flow

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre

Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle Upon-Tyne, NE18ST, United Kingdom

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy
  • none smokers
  • aged between 18 and 35 years

Exclusion criteria

  • History of neurological, vascular or psychiatric illness.
  • Current diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety.
  • History or current diagnosis of drug/alcohol abuse.
  • Anaemia.
  • Any heart disorder.
  • Hypertension
  • Any respiratory disorder.
  • Diabetes.
  • Food intolerances/sensitivities.
  • Phenylketonuria.
  • Use tobacco products or have ceased in the last 6 months.
  • Currently taking any prescribed, illicit or herbal drugs.
  • Any known active infections.
  • HIV antibody positive.
  • Currently have, have ever had, or may be at risk of hepatitis.
  • Have suffered from jaundice within the last year.
  • Have haemophilia or any similar clotting disorder.
  • History of head trauma
  • History of migraines
  • History of learning difficulties
  • Any Issues with giving blood samples.

Treatment and study plan

Berry drink

Dietary Supplement

Cold pressed berry drink standardised to contain 500mg of berry polyphenols

Control

Dietary Supplement

Sugar matched control containing berry flavouring and no phytochemicals

Primary outcomes

  1. Digital Volume Pulse

    Time frame: Change from baseline at 15, 30, 45, 60, 100, 120, 150, 180, 240 minutes and 24 hours post dose

  2. Cerebral blood flow

    Time frame: Continuous measure from baseline to 100 minutes post dose

  3. Blood platelet MAO-B activity

    Time frame: Change from baseline at 15, 30, 45, 60, 100, 120, 150, 180, 240 minutes and 24 hours post dose

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northumbria University

Other

Collaborators

  • The New Zealand Institute of Plant and Food Research Ltd.

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2013
First posted
Feb 28, 2012
Registry last updated
Jun 21, 2016

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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