Influence of Eggs on Cognitive Performance

Texas A&M University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cognitive Function

Treatments: Other: Omega-3 eggs; Other: whole eggs; Other: egg yolk; Other: egg whites

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06465888

IRB2017-0379D

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

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.

Enrollment: 106 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50 to 75 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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106 participants in 5 patient groups

No-Egg Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

The No-Egg Control group will not eat eggs or foods with eggs being one of the primary components of the food for 30 days.

Egg White Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will eat four egg whites/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Kieke eggs to last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than whites from the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs.

Treatment:

Other: egg whites

Whole Egg Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will eat two whole eggs/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Kieke eggs to last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs.

Treatment:

Other: whole eggs

Whole Omega-3 Egg Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will eat two Christopher Farms whole omega-3 eggs/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Christopher Farm eggs that will last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than the two from the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs.

Treatment:

Other: Omega-3 eggs

Egg Yolk Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will eat four egg yolks/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Kieke eggs to last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than the yolks from the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs.

Treatment:

Other: egg yolk