Cognitive performance is negatively related to an impaired glucose metabolism, possibly due to impairments in brain vascular function. Supported by the statement from the American Heart and American Stroke Association that healthy plant-based diets, which consist of soy foods, protect against cognitive decline, we now hypothesize that soy-induced changes in glucose metabolism cause beneficial effects on brain vascular function thereby improving cognitive performance. The primary objective of this intervention study is thus to evaluate in elderly men and women the effect of a 16-week soy intervention on cerebral blood flow, as quantified by the non-invasive gold standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion method Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL). Cerebral blood flow is a robust and sensitive physiological marker of brain vascular function. Secondary objectives are to examine effects on glucose metabolism using the oral glucose tolerance test and cognitive performance as assessed with a neurophysiological test battery.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
23
Study volunteers will receive daily 70 g of soy nuts (roasted soybeans containing approximately 100 mg isoflavones). The amount of soy protein provided by the nuts equals the FDA recommended daily intake of 25-30 g.
Maastricht University Medical Center
Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
Brain vascular function
Cerebral blood flow as quantified non-invasively by the MRI perfusion method Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL)
Time frame: Difference between outcomes at the end of a 16-week soy nut intervention and control period.
Glucose metabolism
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
Time frame: Difference between outcomes at the end of a 16-week soy nut intervention and control period.
Cognitive performance
Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)
Time frame: Difference between outcomes at the end of a 16-week soy nut intervention and control period.
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