Time-restricted Eating and Cognition

Launched by GERMAN INSTITUTE OF HUMAN NUTRITION · Jul 17, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how time-restricted eating (TRE) affects our brain and decision-making, as well as our overall health. Specifically, the researchers want to understand if eating earlier or later in the day makes a difference in how our brain works, how much we eat, how active we are, and how our body's processes function. They are looking for female participants aged 25 to 66 who are healthy, right-handed, and fluent in German, with a body mass index (BMI) between 19 and 35.

If you join this study, you’ll be asked to follow a specific eating pattern and take part in activities that will help the researchers gather information about your brain and body. It’s important to note that there are several health conditions and circumstances that may exclude someone from participating, such as recent weight changes, certain medical histories, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Overall, this study aims to explore how when we eat might play a role in our cognitive health and well-being.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • right-handed
• • legally competent
• • physically and mentally healthy
• • BMI: 19-35 kg/m²
• • fluent in reading and speaking German
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • weight change \>5% of body weight during the last 3 months
• • pregnancy or breastfeeding
• • allergies (inclusion possible after consultation with study doctor)
• • history of cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, stroke, hypertension, hypotension) in the last year
• • severe psychiatric condition, including drug addiction and depression
• • impaired renal or liver function
• • dementia or other severely debilitating cognitive disease
• • history of or current eating disorders (e.g., Bulimia nervosa, Anorexia nervosa, Orthorexia nervosa, Binge-Eating disorder)
• • chronic diseases (e.g., Morbus Crohn, Colitis Ulcerosa)
• • metabolic disorders (e.g., metabolic syndrome, diabetes type 1 or 2)
• • hormonal imbalances (e.g., thyroid gland diseases)
• • consuming diseases (e.g., cancer, kachexie) in the last 2 years
• • surgical removal (partial removal) of the digestive organs (e.g., gastrectomy) or history of bariatric surgery
• • Autoimmune conditions or current infection
• • Blood clotting disorders (e.g., haemophilia)
• • Severe anemia
• • severe claustrophobia
• • blood donation four weeks prior to study entry
• • glucocorticoid therapy (oral)
• • anticoagulant medication (inclusion possible if medication can be paused)
• • taking medications that require regular eating
• • any medications or supplements known to affect sleep, circadian rhythms, immune activity or metabolism
• • taking weight loss, lipid or glucose-lowering medications (any medications that affects metabolism) i.e. metformin
• • pacemaker or other electrical implant
• • vaccination during the study course or in the two weeks' prior
• • immunosuppressive premedication
• • currently on a diet/fasting regime (or within 1 month)
• • professional athletes
• • nicotine consumption
• • drug abuse
• • alcohol consumption per week more than 14 beers (0,3l)/ wine (0,125l)/ sparkling wine (0,1l)/Schnaps (4cl)
• • shift work
• • poor sleep quality (PSQI score \> 10 at medical screening)
• • travel across more than one time zone one month before study or during study period
• • non-removable metallic implants
• • fear of blood draw