Intermittent Fasting Research Study
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences are conducting a study in adults ages 55-80 to examine the effects of time-restricted eating on brain health, blood vessel health, and memory.
Fast Facts
No Significant Neurological Conditions
55-80 Years Old
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Oklahoma
Study Background
Time-restricted eating for prevention of age-related vascular cognitive decline in older adults
This study involves a form of intermittent fasting called time-restricted eating. As the name suggests, in time-restricted eating the day is divided into periods of free eating and periods of fasting.
For this study, you will be asked to divide your day into 10 h of free eating, where you can maintain your existing dietary habits, and 14 h of fasting, where you cannot eat or drink anything but water and unsweetened tea or coffee. We will ask you to follow this diet for 6 months. Before you start fasting, you will see us at the lab, where you will be asked questions about yourself and your medical history, will play brain games on an iPad, will be asked for a blood sample, and will have the blood vessels on your arms, hands, under your tongue, in your eyes, and in your brain examined using non-invasive methods. You will be asked to maintain a fasting diary during the 6 months of fasting. When you come back to the lab after 6 months, we will repeat all tests.
If you are 55-80 years old and have no significant neurological conditions, you could be eligible to participate. Help contribute to research on aging, diet, and brain function by joining our study today!
The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. IRB #16102
Study Background
Time-restricted eating for prevention of age-related vascular cognitive decline in older adults
This study involves a form of intermittent fasting called time-restricted eating. As the name suggests, in time-restricted eating the day is divided into periods of free eating and periods of fasting.
For this study, you will be asked to divide your day into 10 h of free eating, where you can maintain your existing dietary habits, and 14 h of fasting, where you cannot eat or drink anything but water and unsweetened tea or coffee. We will ask you to follow this diet for 6 months. Before you start fasting, you will see us at the lab, where you will be asked questions about yourself and your medical history, will play brain games on an iPad, will be asked for a blood sample, and will have the blood vessels on your arms, hands, under your tongue, in your eyes, and in your brain examined using non-invasive methods. You will be asked to maintain a fasting diary during the 6 months of fasting. When you come back to the lab after 6 months, we will repeat all tests.
If you are 55-80 years old and have no significant neurological conditions, you could be eligible to participate. Help contribute to research on aging, diet, and brain function by joining our study today!
The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. IRB #16102
Additional Information
For some people, aging comes with a decrease in cognitive function. We want to know if time-restricted eating improves brain health, memory, and the health of blood vessels in older adults. Eventually, our long-term goal is to develop food-related therapeutical interventions for adults who are at risk of cognitive impairment later in life.
You may qualify for this study if you are 55-80 years old and have none of the following:
- Significant neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, stroke, dementia)
- Prescription of sulfonylureas, meglitinides, and/or insulin
Study visits are conducted in person. If you are eligible and choose to participate, you will be invited to attend a 4-h study visit before and after the 6 months of time-restricted eating.
Study Visits:
During these visits, you will be asked questions about yourself, your physical activity habits, and your medical history. You will also be asked for a blood sample (up to 40 mL or 3 tablespoons). You will have your weight and fat mass measured in a bioimpedance scale. You will also have the health of your blood vessels assessed using non-invasive methods in different parts of your body (hand, upper arm, under the tongue, eyes, and brain). You will be asked to come to these visits while fasting for at least 8 h and to abstain from caffeine at least 4 h before the visit.
There is an optional MRI scan at both the baseline and endpoint visits.
Time-Restricted Eating:
For 6 months between the study visits, you will follow a time-restricted diet, meaning that your day is divided into two sections: a 10-hour period where you eat the way you usually do, and a 14-hour period where you don’t eat or drink anything except water and unsweetened tea or coffee. You will also keep a daily food diary during this time.
Participants can receive up to $400 in gift cards for completing the entire study, as well as an additional $100 for each of two optional MRI scans.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
