Could a simple drink sharpen aging brains? a new trial puts it to the test
NCT ID NCT05690724
First seen Aug 18, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a daily supplement called Mitocholine can improve executive function—skills like planning and focus—and lower homocysteine, a compound linked to cognitive decline. About 100 adults aged 55 to 79 with mild cognitive impairment will take Mitocholine or a placebo for 16 weeks. Researchers will also measure memory, language, and blood levels of choline and related nutrients to see if the supplement supports brain health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Mitocholine™, a functional food ingredient taken as a daily drink with breakfast
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this supplement could offer a simple, daily way to support brain function and potentially slow cognitive decline in older adults.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial, and supplements often fail to show clear benefits. Results may not apply to everyone, and the product is not a proven treatment.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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100 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2023
- Finished
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Aug 2024
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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55 to 79 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Willing to participate in the study and comply with its procedures. 2. Able to give written informed consent. 3. Adults aged 55 to 79 years, inclusive. 4. Meet MCI criteria, based on the Peterson criteria (Peterson et al., 1999): 1. Objective evidence of cognitive impairment as assessed by MoCA (score ≥18 to ≤25). 2. Absence of major depression as assessed by PHQ (score \<10). 3. Activities of daily living score * males ≥4 * females ≥7 5. Have a homocysteine level ≥11.0μmol/L (Smith D et al, 2018). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of a major cognitive disorder (e.g. Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease diagnoses; additionally, confirmation of a mini stroke (TIA) within the last 3 months would be an exclusionary condition). 2. Participants who are pregnant or wish to become pregnant during the trial. 3. Participants who are lactating and/or currently breastfeeding. 4. Participants currently of childbearing potential, but not using an effective method of contraception, as determined by the investigator. 5. Participants with active or a history of alcohol or substance abuse; (exclude elevated Gamma GT \& clinically abnormal liver function test). 6. Uncontrolled diabetes (or glycated haemoglobin \>7% / 53 mmol/mol). 7. Clinically significant heart, liver, or renal disease (at the discretion of the investigator). 8. Have uncontrolled hypertension SBP \> 160mmHg, DBP \> 100mmHg). 9. Participants prescribed medications likely to influence memory or mood, as determined by the investigator. 10. Participants with a history of depression (within past 24 months) or any concurrent medical, cognitive or psychiatric condition that would either: compromise his/her ability to comply with the study requirements, may pose significant risk to the participant, or be deemed exclusionary by the investigator 11. Have had any other condition or are taking a medication that the investigator believes would interfere with the objectives of the study, pose a safety risk, or confound the interpretation of the study results. 12. Change in supplements, medication, or major diet in 30 days prior to enrolment and throughout the study. 13. Taking any supplements or vitamins notably known to affect cognitive function (e.g. Living Nutrition Cognitive, Viridian Cognitive Complex, ginkgo biloba, fish oil etc., list not exhaustive), or any psychotropic medications and products which interact with acetylcholine esterase and/or NMDA receptors (6-week washout before screening). Vitamin D and Calcium supplements permitted if on a stable dose for the previous 3 months. 14. Users of inhaled nicotine products such as cigarettes or vape products with an inconsistent recent history of consumption i.e., those who have taken up smoking/vaping in the 12 months prior to screening, or those who have either given up or re-started smoking or vaping in the 12 months prior to screening, or those who intend to significantly modify their use of inhaled nicotine products during their participation in the study. 15. Has received treatment involving experimental drugs in the past 3 months. 16. Have a malignant disease or any concomitant end-stage organ disease, which, in the Investigator's judgment, contraindicates participation in the study. 17. Individuals who, in the opinion of the investigator, are considered to be poor clinical attendees or unlikely for any reason to be able to comply with the trial. 18. Any Participant who is an employee of the study site or an Atlantia Clinical Trials employee or their close family member or a member of their household.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Atlantia Clinical Trials
Cork, Munster, T23R50R, Ireland
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