Changes in brain function among individuals with a mild memory impairment
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN10431469 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10431469 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | N/A |
- Submission date
- 03/12/2015
- Registration date
- 21/12/2015
- Last edited
- 28/09/2022
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition which causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour (cognitive function). People with MCI have difficulties with certain aspects of daily life, but they are not as severe or noticeable to others as someone with dementia. It is possible that carotenoids (naturally occurring pigments produced by plants, algae and some bacteria) may play a role in individuals with MCI, given their presence in the brain and how they protect against cell damage. In the retina (the layer at the back of the eye which is sensitive to light), there is a yellow pigment called macular pigment. This pigment is made up of three carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin). These carotenoids are obtained solely from the diet and are believed to be important for preserving and improving vision. Recent research has found that two of these carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) are also present in brain tissue, leading researchers to believe that these carotenoids may protect the nerve cells (neurons) in the brain (neuroprotection), as they do the cells in the retina. Studies have also suggested that diets high in omega-3 (an essential fatty acid found in oily fish) and vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant) could also produce these neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study is to find out whether taking supplements containing the carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin) and fish oil (rich in omega-3) and vitamin E could help to improve cognitive function in people with MCI.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 65 years or over who are suffering from MCI and those with no cognitive impairment.
What does the study involve?
Both the participants with MCI and those without MCI are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group are given tablets containing carotinoids (10mg lutein, 10mg meso-zeaxanthin and 2mg zeaxanthin), vitamin E (15mg) and fish oil (1g) to take every day for 24 months. Those in the second group are given a placebo (dummy tablet) to take every day for 24 months. At the start of the study and then again after 12 and 24 months, participants in both groups attend study visits, where they are asked to complete a number of questionnaires designed to test their cognitive function. Blood samples are also taken in order to analyse the composition of their blood, such as the concentration of carotenoids and fats. Carotenoid levels in at the skin surface are also measured using the Pharmanex® BioPhotonic Scanner (Nu Skin). At these study visits, participants also undergo a number of medical tests to test their vision and likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants who are taking the supplements may benefit from improvements to their cognitive function and vision, however this is not guaranteed. There are no major risks of taking part in the study, although blood tests could cause pain and bruising as well as carrying a small risk of infection.
Where is the study run from?
Waterford Institute of Technology (Ireland)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2016 to December 2019
Who is funding the study?
Howard Foundation Holdings Limited (UK)
Who is the main contact?
1. Ms Rebecca Power (public)
rpower@wit.ie
2. Prof. John Nolan (scientific)
jmnolan@wit.ie
Contact information
Public
Waterford Institute of Technology
Carriganore House
WIT West Campus
Carriganore
Waterford
X91 K236
Ireland
| Phone | +353 (0)51 845505 |
|---|---|
| rpower@wit.ie |
Scientific
Waterford Institute of Technology
Carriganore House
WIT West Campus
Carriganore
Waterford
X91 K236
Ireland
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-5503-7084 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +353 (0)51 834074 |
| jmnolan@wit.ie |
Study information
| Study design | Single-centre double-blind placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Other |
| Study type | Prevention |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | Cognitive impAiRmEnt Study: Supplementation with the macular carotenoids, vitamin E and fish oil |
| Study acronym | CARES |
| Study hypothesis | Supplementation with the macular carotenoids, vitamin E and fish oil will improve the cognitive function of subjects with a mild cognitive impairment |
| Ethics approval(s) | 1. Waterford Institute of Technology Research Ethics Committee, 02/11/2015, ref: 15/CLS/01 2. University Hospital Waterford South East Region Ethics Committee (Ireland), 07/11/2015 |
| Condition | Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) |
| Intervention | MCI subjects (n=60) will be randomised in a 50:50 masked fashion to either active supplement or placebo. Control subjects with no cognitive impairment (n=60) will be randomised in a 50:50 masked fashion to either active supplement or placebo. Active supplement group: Participants are given MacuShield (containing 10mg lutein, 10mg meso-zeaxanthin and 2mg zeaxanthin), vitamin E (15mg) and fish oil (1g) to take daily for a total period of 24 months. Placebo group: Participants are given a placebo to take daily for a total period of 24 months. Participants in both groups are asked to attend study visits at baseline, 12 and 24 months. Follow-up visits will consist of measurements on cognition, visual function and macular pigment (see section titled “outcome measures” for details). In addition, demographic, lifestyle, and health information will be recorded. A blood sample will be taken to measure the levels of carotenoids and vitamin E in serum, the lipid profile and red cell DHA and EPA, and for additional blood tests (full blood count, urea and electrolytes, thyroid function tests, B12, Folate, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C), homocysteine and cholesterol). As of 18/02/2016, the additional blood tests participants undergo have been updated to include: Full blood count, sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, creatinine, thyroid function assessment (Thyroid Stimulation Hormone (TSH) and Free T4), vitamin B12, Folate, homocysteine, cholesterol (lipid profile), high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and complement factor assessment (Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) and Complement component 3 (C3). |
| Intervention type | Supplement |
| Primary outcome measure | Cognitive function will be measured at baseline, 12 and 24 months using the following methods: 1. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) 2. Alzheimer’s Questionnaire (AQ) 3. Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) 4. Bristol Activities of Daily Living Scale (BADLS) 5. An electroencephalogram or EEG system (BP LiveAmp System, Brain Vision UK) 6. Tests of attention, memory, executive function and decision making from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB, Cambridge Cognition, UK) As of 18/02/2016, the following outcome measure will no longer be measured: Phonemic fluency (the FAS test) which involves naming as many words as possible within a 1 minute time limit, starting with each letter of the alphabet |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Macular pigment will be measured by dual-wavelength autoflourescence using the Spectralis HRA + OCT Multicolour at baseline, 12 and 24 months 2. Visual function will be assessed using both best-corrected visual acuity and letter contrast sensitivity at 5 spatial frequencies at baseline, 12 and 24 months 3. Serum carotenoid (lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin) and vitamin E concentrations will be measured from a blood sample using a reverse-phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method at baseline, 12 and 24 months 4. Serum lipid concentrations will be measured from a blood sample using mass spectrometry at baseline, 12 and 24 months 5. Red cell DHA and EPA will be measured from a blood sample using gas chromatography at baseline, 12 and 24 months 6. Development of Alzheimer's disease will be determined based on consensus panel assessment at baseline, 12 and 24 months, and using the 4 Mountains test at baseline Original secondary outcome measure point 1: 1. Macular pigment will be measured by dual-wavelength autoflourescence using the Spectralis HRA + OCT Multicolour and using customised heterochromatic flicker photometry (cHFP) at baseline, 12 and 24 months |
| Overall study start date | 04/01/2016 |
| Overall study end date | 30/12/2019 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Mixed |
|---|---|
| Age group | Senior |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 120 |
| Total final enrolment | 120 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | MCI participants: 1. Males and females aged 65 years and over 2. Self or family member reported memory loss 3. Functionally independent in activities of daily living (as per BADLS) 4. Fulfils criteria for minimal cognitive impairment (as per RBANS) 5. Consensus panel agreement on the diagnosis of MCI (where applicable) Non-MCI participants: 1. Males and females aged 65 years and over 2. Functionally independent in activities of daily living (as per BADLS) 3. Confirms absence of any cognitive impairment (as per RBANS) |
| Participant exclusion criteria | 1. Active depression (under active review) 2. Established diagnosis of early dementia (on cognitive enhancement therapy) 3. Current psychiatric illness (under active review of psychotropic medications) 4. Stroke disease (clinical stroke or stroke on CT) 5. Rapidly progressive or fluctuating symptoms of memory loss 6. Already consuming carotenoid supplements (e.g. Macushield) or fish oil supplements (e.g. Souvenaid) 7. Already on cholinesterase inhibitors or NMDA receptor antagonists 8. Fish allergy 9. Acute angle glaucoma |
| Recruitment start date | 04/01/2016 |
| Recruitment end date | 23/08/2018 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Ireland
Study participating centres
Carriganore House
West Campus
Carriganore
Waterford
00000
Ireland
Waterford
00000
Ireland
Sponsor information
University/education
Carriganore House
Waterford Institute of Technology
West Campus
Carriganore
Waterford
00000
Ireland
| Phone | 051-845505 |
|---|---|
| info@mprg.ie | |
| Website | www.mprg.ie |
Funders
Funder type
Industry
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 01/12/2019 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| Publication and dissemination plan | An initial publication will focus on the results obtained from the baseline data. Subsequent papers will concentrate on the main findings of the research and findings directly related to the research questions and primary outcome measures. |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not expected to be made available. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | Participants with MCI | 25/05/2020 | 10/06/2020 | Yes | No |
| Results article | Cognitively healthy participants | 07/12/2021 | 10/01/2022 | Yes | No |
| Protocol file | 28/09/2022 | No | No |
Additional files
Editorial Notes
28/09/2022: Uploaded protocol (not peer reviewed).
10/01/2022: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the referenceS.
10/06/2020: Publication reference added.
09/01/2020: Internal review.
03/07/2019: The intention to publish date was changed from 01/01/2019 to 01/12/2019.
06/09/2018: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 30/11/2017 to 23/08/2018.
2. The intention to publish date was changed from 01/02/2018 to 01/01/2019.
14/11/2017: IPD sharing statement updated.
13/11/2017: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 22/12/2016 to 30/11/2017.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 30/11/2018 to 30/12/2019.
18/02/2016: The inclusion criteria for all participants has been reduced from 70 years and over to 65 years and over, and acute angle glaucoma has been added as an exclusion criteria. The interventions and secondary outcome measures have also been updated.
