Curcumin and Retinal Study

Launched by TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER · Mar 15, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Curcumin and Retinal Study is a clinical trial that aims to understand how curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric, affects the brain and gut health over two weeks. Specifically, the researchers want to see if curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier—a protective layer that keeps certain substances from entering the brain—and attach to proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. They will also examine how curcumin changes the gut microbiome, which is the community of bacteria in our intestines.

This study is looking for men and women aged 40 to 89 who have been diagnosed with certain deposits in the retina related to Alzheimer’s. Participants should not have any serious liver or kidney issues and should not have used antibiotics or taken turmeric products recently. If you decide to participate, you’ll undergo some initial tests to confirm your eligibility, and then you’ll take curcumin supplements for two weeks. The trial is currently recruiting, so if you fit the criteria and are interested, this could be a great opportunity to contribute to important research!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion:
• • Both male and female, age 40 - 89 years.
• • Diagnosed with Aβ deposits in retina (peripheral superior quadrants)--to be confirmed after consent obtained. If there is documentation the potential participant has been diagnosed with Aβ deposits in retina within 6 months before the consent session, we will use this diagnosis/documentation for eligibility criteria. Otherwise, the ophthalmic exam will be repeated after consent is obtained for the study.
• • No pre-existing liver or kidney diseases by self-report.
• Exclusion:
• • Patients with ocular diseases (macular degeneration, severe diabetes retinopathy)
• • Had used systemic antibiotics within 1 month prior to the start of the study intervention
• • Had taken any turmeric or curcumin products within 2 weeks prior to the start of the study intervention
• • Had a known allergy to black pepper
• • Women that are pregnant or breastfeeding