The Role of Brain Lactate Metabolism in Neuroprotection During Healthy Aging (NCT07731451) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingEarly Phase 1
The Role of Brain Lactate Metabolism in Neuroprotection During Healthy Aging
United States40 participantsStarted 2027-01-01
Plain-language summary
The brain's primary source of fuel is glucose. Unfortunately, the brain's ability to use glucose declines during normal aging. This decline in brain glucose metabolism makes it vulnerable to cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The brain can use another fuel source - lactate - which becomes available to the brain during exercise. The investigators have discovered that when lactate fuels the brain, brain glucose metabolism also improves. Essentially, from a metabolic angle, the brain appears younger. Recently, the investigators have shown that lactate - even in the absence of exercise - stimulates this beneficial effect on the brain. The investigators propose to compare the effects of lactate in healthy young and older adults to test whether these beneficial lactate-mediated effects persist throughout the lifespan, thereby providing a blueprint to restore youthful brain glucose metabolism.
Who can participate
Age range
20 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Meet the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) physical activity guidelines for moderate-intensity aerobic activity, i.e., 150+ minutes of moderate or 75+ minutes of rigorous aerobic activity.
* The older cohort must have adhered to these physical activity guidelines for 30+ years.
* "Good" or "Excellent" aerobic fitness category based on ACSM standardized maximal aerobic power (V̇O2max) values for age and sex.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Need for daily medication for chronic conditions, diagnosed heart, lung, metabolic or cerebrovascular disease, smokers, pregnancy and women in perimenopause are exclusion criteria; these will be verified with questionnaires and preliminary screening.
* Significant carotid plaque will be excluded via ultrasound assessment.
* Evidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
* Personal complaints of memory deficits, clinical diagnosis, or evidence from the NIH ToolBox ®V3 will be considered signs of MCI.
* Adverse responses to maximal exercise, or an inability to complete maximal exercise during fitness screening will also be exclusion criteria.
* known allergy to Lidocaine also cannot participate.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Cerebral metabolism
Timeframe: -Pre-intervention in rested state -During intervention when lactate is experimentally elevated -After recovery from intervention