Cognitive FunctionNCT06465888
Influence of Eggs on Cognitive Performance
A study testing egg whites, whole eggs and Omega-3 eggs in people with Cognitive Function, run by Texas A&M University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the nutrients in eggs in healthy adult's cognitive performance. The main questions it aims to answer are: How do the nutrients in eggs impact visual cognitive performance (VCP) in generally healthy older individuals? Will omega-3 fatty acids in eggs improve VCP in generally healthy… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 to 75 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cognitive Function
- What is being tested?
- egg whites, whole eggs and Omega-3 eggs
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 106 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 22 Aug 2017to 19 Mar 2020
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 50 to 75 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy men and post-menopausal women who are age 50 to 75 years
Who cannot join
- Taking supplements with >6 mg L and/or >2 mg Z two months before the study
- Self-reported diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or other eye conditions that may negatively impact visual cognitive performance
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Evaluating the Influence of Egg Nutrients on Visual Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the nutrients in eggs in healthy adult's cognitive performance. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- How do the nutrients in eggs impact visual cognitive performance (VCP) in generally healthy older individuals?
- Will omega-3 fatty acids in eggs improve VCP in generally healthy older individuals?
Participants will be randomly placed in one of five dietary treatment groups, including four egg whites, two whole regular eggs, two whole omega-3 fortified eggs, four egg yolks, and a no-egg control. Blood will be drawn at baseline. During the first two weeks, participants will eat assigned eggs, consume their usual diet other than the eggs, and keep five food logs. Cognitive performance testing will start on day 15 and be measured over a 10-day period using the Neurotracker (NT) 3-D program. Data on ancillary factors influencing outcomes will be collected, and food will be logged on each NT training day. Blood will be drawn at the end of the study and compared with baseline levels.
Read the detailed description
Generally, healthy males or 2 years post-menopausal females between 50 and 75 years old will be recruited for this study. Potential subjects will communicate interest to researchers, and a standardized email with a consent form will be sent to persons of interest. Prospective participants will complete a preliminary questionnaire evaluating visual health to confirm inclusion criteria met, a study ID will be assigned. subjects will be randomly placed in a control group or one of four intervention groups: four egg whites, two whole regular eggs, two whole omega-3 eggs, and four egg yolks. Eggs will be provided to subjects based on their treatment groups; egg distribution will occur on days 1 and 15. Fifteen days of food logs, five days during the first 14 days of the study, and ten days of food logs each day the subjects train on the Neurotracker software. Food logs will be analyzed using Nutribase software.
Two weeks after the commencement of the study (Day 15), cognitive performance testing will begin. This testing will be conducted over a 10-day period, consisting of 15 training sessions. The Neurotracker (NT) 3-D program will be used for these sessions. On each NT training day, a daily data questionnaire will be used to collect data on ancillary factors that may influence the outcomes of the study.
Blood will be drawn at baseline, on day 15, and at the end of the study. Average nutrient intake and dietary patterns, baseline plasma draws, rate of change, and maximal performance on the NT software will be examined.
- Conditions
- Cognitive Function
- Being tested
- egg whites, whole eggs, Omega-3 eggs, egg yolk
- Keywords
- lutein, zeaxanthin, macular pigment optical density (MPOD), macular pigment, eggs, cognition, cognitive performance
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
egg whitesOther
Participants will eat four egg whites daily for the 4-week study
whole eggsOther
Participants will eat two eggs daily for the 4-week study
Omega-3 eggsOther
Participants will eat two Christopher Farms omega-3 fortified eggs daily for the 4-week study.
egg yolkOther
Participants will eat four egg yolks daily for the 4-week study
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| No-Egg Control Group | No intervention | The No-Egg Control group will not eat eggs or foods with eggs being one of the primary components of the food for 30 days. |
| Egg White Group | Active comparator | Participants will eat four egg whites/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Kieke eggs to last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than whites from the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs. Receives: Other: egg whites |
| Whole Egg Group | Active comparator | Participants will eat two whole eggs/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Kieke eggs to last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs. Receives: Other: whole eggs |
| Whole Omega-3 Egg Group | Active comparator | Participants will eat two Christopher Farms whole omega-3 eggs/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Christopher Farm eggs that will last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than the two from the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs. Receives: Other: Omega-3 eggs |
| Egg Yolk Group | Active comparator | Participants will eat four egg yolks/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Kieke eggs to last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than the yolks from the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs. Receives: Other: egg yolk |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Cognitive performance
Neurotracker 3-Dimensional software used to measure cognitive performance. Subjects performed 20 trials within a single training session obtaining a "speed threshold," (ST) the level at which the participant correctly tracked and selected the correct objects 50% of the time. The final ST for each training session and the progression over 15 sessions were the primary determinants of cognitive performance.
Measured: 15 cognitive sessions within 10 days over 2 week period
Nutrient Intake (Lutein and Zeaxanthin)
Serum will be drawn and analyzed for lutein and zeaxanthin content
Measured: Through study completion which may take up to 2 years.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Serum Lipid Levels
Serum will be drawn and analyzed for lipoprotein subfractions
Measured: Through study completion which may take up to 2 years.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Jun 2024
- Study start22 Aug 2017
- Primary completion19 Mar 2020
- Study completion19 Mar 2020
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cognitive FunctionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Model description
- This is a 30-day study. Serum analysis and diagnostic testing will be conducted at baseline. Participants will be randomly assigned to a no-egg control or one of the following dietary treatment groups: 4 large egg whites daily; 2 large whole eggs daily; 2 large whole omega-3 fortified eggs daily; or 4 large egg yolks daily. Participants will be asked to follow their routine food and beverage intake other than the assigned dietary treatment guidelines. Fifteen food logs will be completed. The last two weeks will include 15 Neurotracker 3-D cognitive training sessions over 10 days with diagnostic measures, physical activity, and sleep patterns recorded. Serum blood draw at day 30.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 106 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Texas A&M University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Egg Nutrition Center
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Steven E.Riechman, PhD, MPH, Texas A&M University
- Investigators
- Steven E. Riechman, PhD, Principal investigator, Texas A&M University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06465888
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB2017-0379D
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 13 Jun 2024
- Last updated
- 29 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluating the Influence of Egg Nutrients on Visual Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06465888
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB2017-0379D
- Conditions
- Cognitive Function
- Keywords
- lutein, zeaxanthin, macular pigment optical density (MPOD), macular pigment, eggs, cognition, cognitive performance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 106 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Texas A&M UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Egg Nutrition Center
- Study start
- 22 Aug 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 19 Mar 2020 (actual)
- Study completion
- 19 Mar 2020 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the nutrients in eggs in healthy adult's cognitive performance. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- How do the nutrients in eggs impact visual cognitive performance (VCP) in generally healthy older individuals?
- Will omega-3 fatty acids in eggs improve VCP in generally healthy older individuals?
Participants will be randomly placed in one of five dietary treatment groups, including four egg whites, two whole regular eggs, two whole omega-3 fortified eggs, four egg yolks, and a no-egg control. Blood will be drawn at baseline. During the first two weeks, participants will eat assigned eggs, consume their usual diet other than the eggs, and keep five food logs. Cognitive performance testing will start on day 15 and be measured over a 10-day period using the Neurotracker (NT) 3-D program. Data on ancillary factors influencing outcomes will be collected, and food will be logged on each NT training day. Blood will be drawn at the end of the study and compared with baseline levels.
Detailed description
Generally, healthy males or 2 years post-menopausal females between 50 and 75 years old will be recruited for this study. Potential subjects will communicate interest to researchers, and a standardized email with a consent form will be sent to persons of interest. Prospective participants will complete a preliminary questionnaire evaluating visual health to confirm inclusion criteria met, a study ID will be assigned. subjects will be randomly placed in a control group or one of four intervention groups: four egg whites, two whole regular eggs, two whole omega-3 eggs, and four egg yolks. Eggs will be provided to subjects based on their treatment groups; egg distribution will occur on days 1 and 15. Fifteen days of food logs, five days during the first 14 days of the study, and ten days of food logs each day the subjects train on the Neurotracker software. Food logs will be analyzed using Nutribase software.
Two weeks after the commencement of the study (Day 15), cognitive performance testing will begin. This testing will be conducted over a 10-day period, consisting of 15 training sessions. The Neurotracker (NT) 3-D program will be used for these sessions. On each NT training day, a daily data questionnaire will be used to collect data on ancillary factors that may influence the outcomes of the study.
Blood will be drawn at baseline, on day 15, and at the end of the study. Average nutrient intake and dietary patterns, baseline plasma draws, rate of change, and maximal performance on the NT software will be examined.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 5
- Model description
- This is a 30-day study. Serum analysis and diagnostic testing will be conducted at baseline. Participants will be randomly assigned to a no-egg control or one of the following dietary treatment groups: 4 large egg whites daily; 2 large whole eggs daily; 2 large whole omega-3 fortified eggs daily; or 4 large egg yolks daily. Participants will be asked to follow their routine food and beverage intake other than the assigned dietary treatment guidelines. Fifteen food logs will be completed. The last two weeks will include 15 Neurotracker 3-D cognitive training sessions over 10 days with diagnostic measures, physical activity, and sleep patterns recorded. Serum blood draw at day 30.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| No-Egg Control Group | No intervention | –The No-Egg Control group will not eat eggs or foods with eggs being one of the primary components of the food for 30 days. |
| Egg White Group | Active comparator | Other: egg whitesParticipants will eat four egg whites/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Kieke eggs to last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than whites from the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs. |
| Whole Egg Group | Active comparator | Other: whole eggsParticipants will eat two whole eggs/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Kieke eggs to last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs. |
| Whole Omega-3 Egg Group | Active comparator | Other: Omega-3 eggsParticipants will eat two Christopher Farms whole omega-3 eggs/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Christopher Farm eggs that will last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than the two from the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs. |
| Egg Yolk Group | Active comparator | Other: egg yolkParticipants will eat four egg yolks/day for 30 days. Participants will be given a specified number of Kieke eggs to last them until their next appointment. They will be asked to eat no other eggs than the yolks from the eggs given to them and to return cartons with any leftover eggs. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Healthy men and post-menopausal women who are age 50 to 75 years
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Taking supplements with >6 mg L and/or >2 mg Z two months before the study
- Self-reported diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or other eye conditions that may negatively impact visual cognitive performance
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| egg whitesParticipants will eat four egg whites daily for the 4-week study | Other | Egg White Group |
| whole eggsParticipants will eat two eggs daily for the 4-week study | Other | Whole Egg Group |
| Omega-3 eggsParticipants will eat two Christopher Farms omega-3 fortified eggs daily for the 4-week study. | Other | Whole Omega-3 Egg Group |
| egg yolkParticipants will eat four egg yolks daily for the 4-week study | Other | Egg Yolk Group |
Primary outcome
Cognitive performance
Time frame: 15 cognitive sessions within 10 days over 2 week period
Neurotracker 3-Dimensional software used to measure cognitive performance. Subjects performed 20 trials within a single training session obtaining a "speed threshold," (ST) the level at which the participant correctly tracked and selected the correct objects 50% of the time. The final ST for each training session and the progression over 15 sessions were the primary determinants of cognitive performance.
Nutrient Intake (Lutein and Zeaxanthin)
Time frame: Through study completion which may take up to 2 years.
Serum will be drawn and analyzed for lutein and zeaxanthin content
1 secondary outcome
Serum Lipid Levels
Time frame: Through study completion which may take up to 2 years.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 Sep 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Steven E. Riechman, PhD principal investigator
Texas A&M University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing egg whites, whole eggs and Omega-3 eggs in people with Cognitive Function, run by Texas A&M University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Cognitive performance (time frame: 15 cognitive sessions within 10 days over 2 week period). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Sep 2025.