Snacks and Brain Health Study

This study is looking at whether eating certain snacks daily can improve memory, mood, and overall brain function in people with cognitive impairment. Researchers will compare two snacks: pecans and pretzels. You might be able to join if you are 50 years or older, have some cognitive impairment (difficulty with thinking and memory), and experience related functional difficulties in daily activities. The study aims to see if these snacks can improve brain function, measured by fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scans, after three months. They will also look at how these snacks affect your gut bacteria and inflammation. The current status of this study is unclear, and it plans to enroll 60 participants.

Study design
This study is interventional and plans to enroll 60 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to eat either pecans or pretzels.
What's involved
You would eat a specific snack daily for three months. You would also have fMRI scans at the beginning and end of the study.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your brain function will be measured after three months.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07348406

Snacks and Brain Health

Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 50+InterventionalTreatment
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
~60 participants
Updated 2026-09-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Pecan snackPretzel snack

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
fMRI measures
Measured over baseline and after 3 months
Cognitive Assessment
Psychological Function
GI Health

NCT07348406

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

    Lubbock, Texasstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Chwan-Li (Leslie) Shen, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

men and women \> 50 years-old
self-reported IQCODE (informant questionnaire on cognitive decline in the elderly) average score \< 4.5
self-reported significant functional impairment (related to cognitive impairment) in basic or advanced activities of daily living as evidenced by the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) questionnaire. If answers to at least one endorsement in the "NO, dependence due to memory concerns".
Stable medications (≥ 12-week unchanged dose before baseline) with no planned changes during trial.
habitually consume less than two servings (2 ozs = 1/4 cup) of nuts or nut spreads per week
willing to accept randomization

Exclusion

reported nut allergy or intolerance
self-reported untreated hypothyroidism, severe liver disease, or end-stage chronic kidney disease
heavy alcohol drinker: in the past 3 months: men ≥14 drinks/week or women ≥7 drinks/week
recent (\<1 month) appearance of diarrhea or hematochezia before study intervention begins. Rationale: A one-month waiting period after diarrhea or hematochezia (blood in stool) is recommended for a gut microbiome test to ensure the results accurately reflect the state and microbial composition, since diarrhea and hematochezia can significantly alter the gut environment and skew test results.
recent (\<1 month) exposure to antibiotics before study intervention begins. Rationale: A one-month waiting period after antibiotics is recommended for a gut microbiome test because it allows the microbial community time to recover and reach a more stable state, ensuring a more accurate and representative snapshot of the gut microbiome composition, since antibiotic usage can significantly reduce microbial diversity.
Self-reported unstable GI disorder
likeliness of moving during the trial, lack of transportation, or unavailability at sample collection times
  • fMRI measuresbaseline and after 3 months

    connectivity of amygdala seed regions and broader bilateral mPFC using fMRI