The aim of this study is to test the casual relationship between carotenoid supplementation, cognitive function, and achievement over a school-year. The central hypothesis is that, relative to the waitlist placebo group, children receiving the carotenoid supplement will exhibit greater gains in cognitive function and achievement.
This clinical trial will be a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial to examine the effects of carotenoid supplementation on cognitive control, hippocampal-dependent relational memory, and academic achievement among pre-adolescents over one school year (i.e. 9-months).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
288
Carotenoid supplement comprised of 10mg lutein and 2mg zeaxanthin.
Placebo control supplement
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, Illinois, United States
RECRUITINGAttentional Accuracy
Changes in accuracy (%) between groups using a computerized flanker task.
Time frame: 9 months (Baseline vs Follow-up)
Attentional Reaction Time
Changes in reaction time (ms) between groups using a computerized flanker task.
Time frame: 9 months (Baseline vs Follow-up)
Hippocampal-dependent Relational memory
Spatial memory task accuracy
Time frame: 9 months (Baseline vs Follow-up)
Composite Academic Achievement
Kaufman Test of Academic and Educational Achievement II (KTEA III) composite or comprehensive academic achievement score. The scores are standard scores with a minimum score of 40 and a maximum score of 160 where a higher score indicates a better outcome.
Time frame: 9 months (Baseline vs Follow-up)
Macular Pigment Optical Density
Changes in Macular Pigment Optical Density (log units) between groups using a macular densitometer.
Time frame: 9 months (Baseline vs Follow-up)
Attentional Resource Allocation
Changes in P3 event related potential amplitude (microvolts) between groups using a computerized flanker task.
Time frame: 9 months (Baseline vs Follow-up)
Attentional Processing Speed
Changes in P3 event related potential latency (ms) between groups using a computerized flanker task.
Time frame: 9 months (Baseline vs Follow-up)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Math
Assessed as Mass subtest standard scores on the KTEA III. The scores are standard scores with a minimum score of 40 and a maximum score of 160 where a higher score indicates a better outcome.
Time frame: 9 months (Baseline vs Follow-up)
Reading
Assessed as Reading subtest standard scores on the KTEA III. The scores are standard scores with a minimum score of 40 and a maximum score of 160 where a higher score indicates a better outcome.
Time frame: 9 months (Baseline vs Follow-up)
Written Language
Assessed as Written Language subtest standard scores on the KTEA III. The scores are standard scores with a minimum score of 40 and a maximum score of 160 where a higher score indicates a better outcome.
Time frame: 9 months (Baseline vs Follow-up)
Reading Fluency
Assessed as Reading Fluency subtest standard scores on the KTEA III. The scores are standard scores with a minimum score of 40 and a maximum score of 160 where a higher score indicates a better outcome.
Time frame: 9 months (Baseline vs Follow-up)