L-serine and Strength Training in the Elderly
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Strength training, L-serine supplementation, Control (cornstarch).
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Brain Health, Longevity, Cognitive Performance, Strength Training Effects. Basic parameters: 65 years — 85 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Austria
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Overview
This study investigates whether taking the amino acid L-serine, either alone or in combination with targeted strength training, can have a positive effect on mental performance, brain function, and physical fitness in older people. Healthy, independent women and men aged 65 to 85 are eligible to participate. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: placebo, L-serine, or L-serine combined with strength training. Cognitive tests, physical performance tests, and blood and brain tests will be conducted over a period of 48 weeks. The aim is to gain a better understanding of how nutrition and exercise can contribute to healthy aging.
Detailed description
The study is a randomized, controlled, double-blind intervention study with three parallel groups of healthy older adults (aged 65-85). It investigates the effects of L-serine supplementation with and without accompanying strength training on cognitive, neural, molecular, and functional parameters over 48 weeks.
The primary endpoint is the change in cognitive performance, measured using the composite RBANS score. Secondary endpoints include structural and functional brain parameters (MRI, EEG), psychosocial parameters, markers of oxidative stress and immune function, as well as physical performance and muscle mass.
Interventions
- Behavioral Strength training
Structured strength training 2x/week - Dietary supplement L-serine supplementation
L-serine supplementation 6g/day - Dietary supplement Control (cornstarch)
Placebo 6g cornstarch/day, No strength training
Primary outcome measures
- Change in cognitive performance measured by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) [Time frame: Baseline, 18 weeks and 48 weeks of intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (12)
- Change in cognitive domain performance measured by index scores of RBANS [Time frame: Baseline, 18 weeks and 48 weeks of intervention]
- Change in hippocampal volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging (mm³) [Time frame: Baseline and 48 weeks of intervention]
- Change in hippocampal functional connectivity measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging [Time frame: Baseline and 48 weeks of intervention]
- Change in oscillatory brain activity measured using electroencephalography [Time frame: Baseline, 18 weeks and 48 weeks of intervention]
- Change in hippocampal neurometabolite concentrations measured using single voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy [Time frame: Baseline, 18 weeks and 48 weeks of intervention]
- Change in lower limb muscle strength (isokinetic torque, dominant leg) [Time frame: Baseline, 18 weeks and 48 weeks of intervention]
- Rate of torque development (Nm/s) will be measured at a joint angle of 60 degrees flexion (knee) and 40 degrees flexion (hip). [Time frame: Baseline, 18 weeks and 48 weeks of intervention]
- Change in maximum and total work (J) of knee and hip flexion and extension [Time frame: Baseline, 18 weeks and 48 of intervention]
- Position of peak torque and maximum range of motion (deg.) [Time frame: Baseline, 18 weeks and 48 weeks of intervention]
- Change in time to peak torque and time from peak to relaxation (sec.) during knee and hip extension and flexion [Time frame: Baseline, 18 weeks and 48 weeks of intervention]
- Mean power (W) in knee and hip extension and flexion [Time frame: Baseline, 18 weeks, and 48 weeks of intervention]
- Change in isometric handgrip strength [Time frame: Baseline, 18 weeks, and 48 weeks of intervention]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Men and women between the ages of 65 and 85
- Mini-Mental-State >23
- Independently mobile, without aids (walker, cane, etc.)
Exclusion criteria
- Chronic diseases that contraindicate medical training therapy
- Regular strength training (>1x/week) in the last 6 months before confinement
- Frailty Index ≥ 3
- Lack of written consent to test physical performance
- Regular use of Cortison-containing medications or Antibiotika
- MR-specific exclusion criteria: claustrophobia, metal equipment or other magnetic Material in or on the body
- Non-compliance with the study protocol: <70% of the planned L-serine administration, <70% of the strength training
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
Study locations
Austria · 1 center
- NuTraLab — Vienna
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07466290 · 01391 · 10.55776/PIN359