Effects of Peanut Consumption on Brain Function

Impaired brain vascular function precedes the development of reduced cognitive performance, while brain insulin-resistance is also associated with cognitive decline. Peanut consumption has already been shown to beneficially affect cognitive performance. However, underlying mechanisms have not yet been established, while well-controlled trials on longer-term effects of peanuts on cognitive performance are highly needed. The hypothesis is that longer-term peanut consumption has beneficial effects on (regional) cerebral blood flow responses (primary outcome), which may relate to an improved cognitive performance (secondary outcome) in older men and women. Important objectives are to investigate in older adults the effect of 16-week peanut consumption on (i) brain vascular function in cognitive-control brain areas, and (ii) brain insulin-sensitivity. We will also focus on changes in cognitive performance as assessed with a neuropsychological test battery (secondary objective). Cerebral blood flow responses before (brain vascular function) and after the administration of intranasal insulin (brain insulin sensitivity) will be non-invasively quantified by the non-invasive gold standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-perfusion method Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL).

Inclusion Criteria:Men and women, aged between 60-75 yearsBMI between 25-35 kg/m2Fasting plasma glucose < 7.0 mmol/LFasting serum total cholesterol < 8.0 mmol/LFasting serum triacylglycerol < 4.5 mmol/LSystolic blood pressure < 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure < 100 mmHgStable body weight (weight gain or loss < 3 kg in the past three months)Willingness to give up being a blood donor from 8 weeks before the start of the study, during the study and for 4 weeks after completion of the studyNo difficult venipuncture as evidenced during the screening visitExclusion Criteria:Allergy or intolerance to peanutsLeft-handednessCurrent smoker, or smoking cessation < 12 monthsDiabetic patientsFamilial hypercholesterolemiaAbuse of drugsMore than 3 alcoholic consumptions per dayUse of products or dietary supplements known to interfere with the main outcomes as judged by the principal investigatorsUse medication to treat blood pressure, lipid, or glucose metabolismUse of an investigational product within another biomedical intervention trial within the previous 1-monthSevere medical conditions that might interfere with the study, such as epilepsy, asthma, kidney failure or renal insufficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, auto inflammatory diseases, and rheumatoid arthritisActive cardiovascular disease like congestive heart failure or cardiovascular event, such as an acute myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accidentContra-indications for MRI imaging (e.g., pacemaker, surgical clips/material in body, metal splinter in eye, claustrophobia)