Effects of Blueberry on Cognition and Mobility in Older Adults

This is an interventional treatment trial for Aging focused on measuring Postural Balance, Walking, Gait, Cognition, Learning, Memory, Blueberry, Antioxidants, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Brain Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women are between the ages of 60 and 75 years
• Body mass index 18.5-29.9 kg/m2
• Adequate visual acuity or corrected visual acuity to read and perform computer tasks.
• Fluency in spoken and written English
• Ability to walk independently for 20 minutes
• Absence of menstruation for a minimum of 12 months or surgical menopause.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Self-reported vegetarian or vegan.
• Any condition that has resulted in cognitive deficits, including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, cerebrovascular accident, or head injury
• History of any neurologic disorder resulting in permanent or relapsing/remitting neurologic impairment including but not limited to Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, peripheral neuropathy, or radiculopathy.
• History of any condition resulting in permanent muscle or mobility deficit that would interfere with walking independent of assistance for 20 minutes, including but not limited to amputation, fracture, arthritis, myopathy, or limb, hip or back surgery within the last year.
• Self-reported cognitive, memory, neurologic or functional deficits that are stated to interfere with activities of daily living or functional status.
• Any chronic condition associated with increased risk of falls such as vestibular disease, orthostatic hypotension or neuropathy.
• Falls within the last year, that occurred in the course or routine daily activities, which were not precipitated by unusual circumstances such as being pushed or falling on ice.
• Regular use (i.e. that cannot or should not be discontinued for the entire study period, as per the subject's personal physician) of medications or dietary supplements known or suspected to influence cognitive function, attention, ability to ambulate, gait, balance, or risk of falls that in the opinion of the study physician may influence study results or increase risk with participation in the study.
• Psychiatric disorders that could in the opinion of the study physician interfere with study testing, including bipolar disorder, psychosis, and major depression
• MMSE score of less than 24 at screening
• Gastrointestinal disorders that influence digestion and absorption of food
• Diabetes mellitus
• Liver dysfunction
• History of cirrhosis
• SGPT, SGOT, or total bilirubin > 2 x upper limit of normal
• Kidney disease as indicated by serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL at screening
• Cardiac or pulmonary conditions that limit ambulation or results in dyspnea with ambulation with walking required as part of activities of daily living.
• Reported allergy to blueberry or ingredients in the placebo.
• Ethanol use estimated to be on average > 2 servings/day of beer (12-ounces), wine (5 ounces) or liquor (1.5 ounces), or self-reported binge-drinking.
• Illicit drug use in the last 12 months.
• Cigarette smoking within the last 6 months or current use of nicotine.