Antioxidants may unlock sex differences in brain blood flow

NCT ID NCT05958303

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 07, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study investigates how sex and stress influence blood flow in the brain, and whether antioxidants can alter that regulation. Healthy adults aged 18 to 40 will take either an antioxidant cocktail or a placebo, then undergo MRI scans to measure brain blood flow under normal and high-oxygen conditions. The goal is to understand basic mechanisms that could one day inform treatments for conditions like stroke or vascular dementia.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Antioxidant Cocktail (vitamin C, vitamin E, alpha lipoic acid)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could reveal why men and women differ in brain blood flow regulation, potentially guiding future treatments for cerebrovascular disorders.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study in healthy volunteers, so findings may not apply to people with health conditions. The antioxidant effects may be modest or absent.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cerebrovascular disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CEREBROVASCULAR DISORDERS

Contacts and locations

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Locations

University of Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States

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