Brain AgingNCT07379437
Haematococcus Pluvialis Astaxanthin for Brain Aging
A study testing Low-Dose AST and High-Dose AST in people with Brain Aging, run by Capital Medical University.
Trial summary
We recruit community-dwelling older adults aged 50 and above for a 6-month intervention. Participants are divided into three groups: Placebo Group, Low-Dose Group ( 6 mg/d Haematococcus pluvialis Astaxanthin), High-Dose Group (12 mg/d Haematococcus pluvialis Astaxanthin). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Brain Aging
- What is being tested?
- Low-Dose AST and High-Dose AST
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 May 2026to 1 Feb 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Cognitive functionally normal elderly individuals aged 50 years or older with baseline MoCA scores near the borderline for mild cognitive impairment (MCI); subjects reporting age-related forgetfulness; community-dwelling residents who can cooperate with the research team to complete the intervention study.
Who cannot join
- Individuals with hearing or language expression impairments that hinder communication; those with severe cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, hepatic, renal, or other organ diseases, or malignant tumors; individuals who have been taking astaxanthin or other antioxidant dietary supplements within the past month; those who have recently used medications that may affect neurological function; and individuals who are unable to undergo cognitive function assessment or refuse to sign an informed consent form.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effects and Mechanism of Haematococcus Pluvialis Astaxanthin on Inhibiting Brain Aging Through Improving Mitochondrial Function
We recruit community-dwelling older adults aged 50 and above for a 6-month intervention. Participants are divided into three groups:
Placebo Group, Low-Dose Group ( 6 mg/d Haematococcus pluvialis Astaxanthin), High-Dose Group (12 mg/d Haematococcus pluvialis Astaxanthin).
Read more
Peripheral blood samples and Other tests are collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months to measure mitochondrial function and oxidative stress levels.
Assessments include: 1.Cognitive \& Neurophysiological Assessment: Using the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessmentscale) and ERP (specifically P300) monitoring. 2.Brain Imaging: MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) is used to analyze changes in brain function. 3.Metabolomics: A series of laboratory techniques are used to analyze routine metabolic indices, plasma astaxanthin, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress markers, and cognition-related neurobiomarkers.
Read the detailed description
This study proposed to set the intervention doses at 6 mg/day and 12 mg/day, with an intervention period of 6 months. The intervention agent was Astaxanthin Capsules from Haematococcus pluvialis (containing 6 mg of astaxanthin per capsule) supplied by Astareal Corporation, Japan. The control group received placebo capsules identical to the intervention group in terms of color, shape, size, packaging, and quantity but devoid of astaxanthin. Prior to the experiment, random sampling was conducted on the intervention capsules to verify the effective content of astaxanthin, ensuring the accuracy of the intervention doses. During the intervention period, experimenters distributed the intervention and control capsules to the corresponding populations, along with a consumption record form. The dosage for each month was administered, and the capsule containers were collected at the end of each month. Daily text messages were sent to remind participants to take the capsules and check in, with compliance assessed based on the record form and check-in records.A self-designed questionnaire was used to conduct baseline surveys on the study subjects, covering demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and medical history. The demographic survey included gender, age, educational level, marital status, occupation, and housing conditions. Lifestyle factors were assessed through smoking, alcohol consumption, mental activity (e.g., reading, newspaper consumption, computer use, television viewing), physical activity, household chores, and dietary supplement use. Past medical history encompassed current illnesses, prior diseases, family genetic history, duration of illness, and medication regimens. Physical examinations were performed by community health center physicians, measuring routine parameters such as height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure, with calculation of body mass index (BMI).The dietary questionnaire designed by the research team was administered through face-to-face interviews by specially trained investigators.Cognitive function was measured before intervention (baseline), at 3 months of intervention, and at the end of intervention (6 months of intervention), including the following tests: 1) Tracking the changes in the brain's neural electrophysiology during cognitive processes using event-related potential (ERP) P300.2) The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to evaluate the cognitive function of the subjects.The Siemens Trio 3T MRI system was used to acquire imaging data, including T1-weighted structural and resting-state functional scans as well as T2w-FLAIR images.Fasting peripheral blood samples were collected at three time points (pre-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months), and after processing, underwent comprehensive laboratory analyses including routine metabolic panels, plasma astaxanthin, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress markers, and cognition-related neurobiomarkers.
- Conditions
- Brain Aging
- Being tested
- Low-Dose AST, High-Dose AST, Placebo
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Low-Dose ASTDietary supplement
Low-Dose AST Group:6 mg/d Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis)
High-Dose ASTDietary supplement
High-Dose Group: 12 mg/d Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis)
PlaceboOther
Placebo
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo Group | Placebo comparator | Placebo Receives: Other: Placebo |
| Low-Dose AST Group | Experimental | 6 mg/d Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis) Receives: Dietary Supplement: Low-Dose AST |
| High-Dose AST Group | Experimental | 12 mg/d Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis) Receives: Dietary Supplement: High-Dose AST |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA
The cognitive domains assessed included attention and concentration, executive function, memory, language, visual structural skills, abstract thinking, as well as calculation and orientation. The total score of the scale was 30 points.A total score of 26 or above is considered normal (as there is no current Chinese reliability and validity analysis, so the original foreign language threshold values can be temporarily referred to); a score of 19 to 25 indicates that there is a possibility of mild cognitive impairment (MCI); if the score is 19 to 22 and there is also some difficulty in daily life/activities, it usually means that the person has progressed from MCI to dementia; those with a score below 19 can clearly be diagnosed as having dementia.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months
Neurophysiology changes
The event-related potential (ERP) P300 was used to track the changes of the brain's neural electrophysiology during the cognitive process.Patients with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease show an extended P300 latency period.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months
Secondary outcomes (1)
MRI（Magnetic resonance imaging）
The Siemens Trio 3T MRI system was used to acquire imaging data, including T1-weighted structural and resting-state functional scans as well as T2w-FLAIR images.The common local brain structural changes associated with cognitive decline are the atrophy of the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Jan 2026
- Study start1 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Feb 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Brain AgingStudies 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Capital Medical University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Miao Chen, Capital Medical University
- Investigators
- Linhong Yuan, Doctor, Principal investigator, Capital Medical University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07379437
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CNS-NCL2024-04
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 30 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- 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 30 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects and Mechanism of Haematococcus Pluvialis Astaxanthin on Inhibiting Brain Aging Through Improving Mitochondrial Function
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07379437
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CNS-NCL2024-04
- Conditions
- Brain Aging
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Capital Medical UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 30 Jan 2026 (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.
We recruit community-dwelling older adults aged 50 and above for a 6-month intervention. Participants are divided into three groups:
Placebo Group, Low-Dose Group ( 6 mg/d Haematococcus pluvialis Astaxanthin), High-Dose Group (12 mg/d Haematococcus pluvialis Astaxanthin).
Peripheral blood samples and Other tests are collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months to measure mitochondrial function and oxidative stress levels.
Assessments include: 1.Cognitive \& Neurophysiological Assessment: Using the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessmentscale) and ERP (specifically P300) monitoring. 2.Brain Imaging: MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) is used to analyze changes in brain function. 3.Metabolomics: A series of laboratory techniques are used to analyze routine metabolic indices, plasma astaxanthin, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress markers, and cognition-related neurobiomarkers.
Detailed description
This study proposed to set the intervention doses at 6 mg/day and 12 mg/day, with an intervention period of 6 months. The intervention agent was Astaxanthin Capsules from Haematococcus pluvialis (containing 6 mg of astaxanthin per capsule) supplied by Astareal Corporation, Japan. The control group received placebo capsules identical to the intervention group in terms of color, shape, size, packaging, and quantity but devoid of astaxanthin. Prior to the experiment, random sampling was conducted on the intervention capsules to verify the effective content of astaxanthin, ensuring the accuracy of the intervention doses. During the intervention period, experimenters distributed the intervention and control capsules to the corresponding populations, along with a consumption record form. The dosage for each month was administered, and the capsule containers were collected at the end of each month. Daily text messages were sent to remind participants to take the capsules and check in, with compliance assessed based on the record form and check-in records.A self-designed questionnaire was used to conduct baseline surveys on the study subjects, covering demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and medical history. The demographic survey included gender, age, educational level, marital status, occupation, and housing conditions. Lifestyle factors were assessed through smoking, alcohol consumption, mental activity (e.g., reading, newspaper consumption, computer use, television viewing), physical activity, household chores, and dietary supplement use. Past medical history encompassed current illnesses, prior diseases, family genetic history, duration of illness, and medication regimens. Physical examinations were performed by community health center physicians, measuring routine parameters such as height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure, with calculation of body mass index (BMI).The dietary questionnaire designed by the research team was administered through face-to-face interviews by specially trained investigators.Cognitive function was measured before intervention (baseline), at 3 months of intervention, and at the end of intervention (6 months of intervention), including the following tests: 1) Tracking the changes in the brain's neural electrophysiology during cognitive processes using event-related potential (ERP) P300.2) The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to evaluate the cognitive function of the subjects.The Siemens Trio 3T MRI system was used to acquire imaging data, including T1-weighted structural and resting-state functional scans as well as T2w-FLAIR images.Fasting peripheral blood samples were collected at three time points (pre-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months), and after processing, underwent comprehensive laboratory analyses including routine metabolic panels, plasma astaxanthin, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress markers, and cognition-related neurobiomarkers.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo Group | Placebo comparator | Other: PlaceboPlacebo |
| Low-Dose AST Group | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Low-Dose AST6 mg/d Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis) |
| High-Dose AST Group | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: High-Dose AST12 mg/d Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Cognitive functionally normal elderly individuals aged 50 years or older with baseline MoCA scores near the borderline for mild cognitive impairment (MCI); subjects reporting age-related forgetfulness; community-dwelling residents who can cooperate with the research team to complete the intervention study.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Individuals with hearing or language expression impairments that hinder communication; those with severe cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, hepatic, renal, or other organ diseases, or malignant tumors; individuals who have been taking astaxanthin or other antioxidant dietary supplements within the past month; those who have recently used medications that may affect neurological function; and individuals who are unable to undergo cognitive function assessment or refuse to sign an informed consent form.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Low-Dose ASTLow-Dose AST Group:6 mg/d Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis) | Dietary supplement | Low-Dose AST Group |
| High-Dose ASTHigh-Dose Group: 12 mg/d Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis) | Dietary supplement | High-Dose AST Group |
| PlaceboPlacebo | Other | Placebo Group |
Primary outcome
Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months
The cognitive domains assessed included attention and concentration, executive function, memory, language, visual structural skills, abstract thinking, as well as calculation and orientation. The total score of the scale was 30 points.A total score of 26 or above is considered normal (as there is no current Chinese reliability and validity analysis, so the original foreign language threshold values can be temporarily referred to); a score of 19 to 25 indicates that there is a possibility of mild cognitive impairment (MCI); if the score is 19 to 22 and there is also some difficulty in daily life/activities, it usually means that the person has progressed from MCI to dementia; those with a score below 19 can clearly be diagnosed as having dementia.
Neurophysiology changes
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months
The event-related potential (ERP) P300 was used to track the changes of the brain's neural electrophysiology during the cognitive process.Patients with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease show an extended P300 latency period.
1 secondary outcome
MRI（Magnetic resonance imaging）
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Jan 2026.
- 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.
Linhong Yuan, Doctor principal investigator
Capital Medical University
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Low-Dose AST and High-Dose AST in people with Brain Aging, run by Capital Medical University.
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 1 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Chen Miao (+86 13261666004, miaochen0243@163.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months). 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 30 Jan 2026.