Effect of Daily Mixed Spice Consumption on Memory Function

Last updated: March 20, 2025
Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Brain Function

Treatment

Mixed spices

Placebo

Clinical Study ID

NCT06889961
23-001878
  • Ages 50-80
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

The aging process entails a multitude of structural and functional alterations within the brain, culminating in a gradual and progressive decline in cognitive function. Recent research has indicated that various spices may hold the key to enhancing brain health and combating the effects of aging on cognitive abilities. The hypothesis is that a mixture of spices, acknowledged for their reported memory protection potential, may yield a more potent beneficial effect on memory function than a single spice. The spice mixture will be used at culinary dose, and therefore side effects are anticipated. In this study, the effects of spice mixture will be evaluated, as well as their anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The proposed pilot study will include 50 adults (ages 50-80), exhibiting typical age-related mild cognitive decline, excluding dementia or major neurocognitive disorders. They will be randomized 1:1 assigned into a daily intake of either 4.00 g spice mixture capsules or 4.00 g maltodextrin capsules over 3 months, and explore the sustainable effect over 3 additional months. The changes in symptoms of cognition, fatigue, and mood symptoms of the spice group vs. placebo group will be compared. The outcome of the investigation of the effects of mixed spice consumption will provide important novel information on dietary recommendation of spice to preserve cognitive function in aging population.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Participants are required to have clinical histories consistent with normal aging ormild cognitive impairment (MCI).

  2. Age 50 to 80 years.

  3. Adequate visual acuity and hearing to allow neuropsychological testing.

  4. Screening laboratory tests without significant abnormalities that might interferewith the study.

Exclusion

  • Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease or any other dementia (e.g. vascular, Lewybody, frontotemporal)

  2. Evidence of other neurological or physical illness that can produce cognitivedeterioration. Determination of dementia will be based on the clinical evaluationincluding assessment of functional abilities, and cognitive screening (using theMini Mental State Examination

  3. Evidence of Parkinson's disease as determined by the motor examination (items 18-31)of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale [38].

  4. Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure (BP) > 170 or diastolic BP > 100).

  5. Consume spices regularly > 5g day

  6. Allergy or sensitivity to spices. Subjects will be excluded if there is a priorhistory of such sensitivity. Since these foods are commonly eaten and allergies arerare, subjects should be aware of this sensitivity prior to entering the study. Todetermine this, a positive history of spices ingestion without incident will berequested. In addition, any subject with a history of allergy or anaphylaxis of anykind will be excluded.

  7. Current diagnosis of any major psychiatric disorder according to the DSM-IV TRcriteria (APA, 2000).

  8. Current diagnosis or alcoholism or substance addiction.

  9. Eating a high fiber/polyphenol diet or taking any medication or dietary supplementwhich interfere with the absorption of polyphenols.

  10. Frequently using prebiotics, probiotics, yogurt, and/or any fiber supplements

Study Design

Total Participants: 50
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Mixed spices
Phase:
Study Start date:
February 21, 2025
Estimated Completion Date:
February 21, 2027

Connect with a study center

  • UCLA Center for Human Nutrition

    Los Angeles, California 90024
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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