NCT06942351

Effect of Walnuts on Cognitive Function and Gut Microbiome in Older Adults

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Oregon State University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of daily consumption of walnuts for 12 weeks on cognitive function, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, and the gut microbiome in healthy adults age 55 years and older.

Detailed description

The investigators will determine the extent to which daily consumption of walnuts by older adults for 12 weeks influences cognitive function and whether improvements are associated with changes in the resident gut microbiota. The investigators propose that age-related cognitive decline can be mitigated by consuming walnuts, by modulating the microbiota and microbial metabolites and decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Conditions

• Aging
• Inflammation Biomarkers

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Walnuts	Daily consumption of 1.5 ounces of plain walnuts for 12 weeks
OTHER	Crackers	Daily consumption of non-whole grain crackers for 12 weeks (caloric equivalent to 1.5 ounces of plain walnuts)

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-06-09
• Primary completion: 2028-12-01
• Completion: 2029-05-01
• First posted: 2025-04-24
• Last updated: 2025-06-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States