(P09-028-25) Multicomponent Nutritional Supplement and Cognitive Function: Preliminary Results From the BB-Health Feasibility Trial

Objectives: Older adults with obesity have an increased risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. A multicomponent nutritional supplement (MCNS) designed to improve brain health has been shown to favorably affect cognitive function in young children; however, no such supplement has been evaluated in older adults.

Methods: Adults aged 55 to 85 years with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 27.99 kg/m² enrolled in the 12-month, NIH-funded Brain and Body Health Feasibility trial (BB-Health; NCT05542199). Participants were randomized to one of four groups: a daily MCNS or Control supplement with or without a behavioral weight loss intervention. The MCNS was rich in compounds hypothesized to improve brain health and the Control had equivalent taste and appearance. Cognitive assessments were performed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months and composite z-scores for processing speed and executive function were calculated. Changes in cognitive function over time were assessed using a paired t-test, and multivariable linear regression models were adjusted for randomized group and baseline cognition. All analyses were conducted blind to randomization.

Results: A total of 25 participants enrolled from 2022 to 2023. Among participants completing the 12-month feasibility trial (n=24), mean age was 65.6 <± 5.3 years and mean BMI was 31.7 ± 3.0 kg/m². Older age was significantly correlated with lower z-scores for processing speed at baseline (R = -0.48; P = 0.02). On average, there was a significant improvement in processing speed over 12 months in all participants combined (0.40 standard deviations [SD]; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.54; P < 0.001). This effect was retained after adjustment for age and randomized group, with a one SD increase in baseline processing speed corresponding to an 0.89 SD improvement at 12 months (P < 0.001; R² = 0.83). There was also a significant improvement in executive function (0.50 SD; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.62; P < 0.001), with consistent results observed in the multivariable model (1.03 SD; P < 0.001; R² = 0.89).

Conclusions: Low participant dropout and positive changes in cognition observed in this study suggest that randomized trials investigating nutritional effects on brain health are feasible to test the benefits of healthy dietary regimens later in life.

Funding Sources: NIH R56AG065236