ACE
Arterial Stiffness, Cognition, Equol
What is ACE?
You are invited to participate in the Arterial Stiffness, Cognition, and Equol Trial (also known as ACE Trial). Equol is a soy-based supplement that has plant estrogen-like compounds in it. The purpose of this study is to learn if taking Equol could slow the progression of:
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Stiffening of the arteries
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Small blood vessel disease in the brain
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Memory decline.
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You can check out our flyer for the study here.
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If you are interested in participating please call 404-544-9077 or 404-712-9911 to complete a phone screening.
Who is being studied?
ACE is open to African-American or Caucasian Men and Women, aged 65 to 85 years old who meet the eligibility criteria:
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Individuals who don't have dementia
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Individuals willing to go through an MRI scan
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Individuals willing to take either the study supplement or placebo.
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What is involved?
Your participation in this research will involve up to 7 visits over two years. As part of the study, we will complete several non-invasive tests like measuring your blood pressure and heart rate, height and weight, and doing tests of walking and thinking. We will collect a sample of your blood, urine, and stool. We will ask you questions about your health history and medication use, your mood, and other topics. To
measure the stiffening of the arteries, we will do a test called a carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. It is low-risk and without radiation. To assess the health of small
blood vessels in your brain, we will do a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. We will also do an ultrasound scan of your carotid arteries.
Study Locations
This study is being conducted at the School of Nursing:
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Emory University
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
1520 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
Project Funding
This grant was funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a division of the National Institute of Health.
Why is this research important?
Recent studies in Japan reported that a diet high in soy and soy isoflavones (ISFs) is inversely associated with incident cognitive impairment and dementia. Arterial stiffness is a significant predictor of cognitive decline and is associated with multiple forms of dementia-related pathology. A short-duration clinical trial of 10 mg/day equol showed a significant improvement in arterial stiffness. However, whether supplementation of equol has a long-term beneficial effect on arterial stiffness has not been tested.