Could turmeric help your memory? new study tests it
NCT ID NCT04705220
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested whether a special turmeric supplement (MERIVA®) could improve memory and thinking in older adults with metabolic syndrome. 85 people took either the supplement or a placebo for 6 months. Researchers measured changes in cognitive tests to see if turmeric helped protect against age-related mental decline.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- turmeric supplement (MERIVA®)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple dietary supplement to help protect memory and thinking in older adults with metabolic syndrome.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with 85 people. The results may not apply to everyone, and the improvement seen might be modest or not better than placebo.
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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85 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Apr 2022
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
60 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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: * Male or female subjects. * Subjects aged ≥ 60 years. * Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome diagnosed according to standard criteria: 1. Presence of abdominal obesity (waist circumference\> 94 cm for males and\> 80 cm for females). In addition, at least two of the following alterations: 2. Fasting blood glucose ≥ 100 mg / dl. 3. Triglycerides ≥ 150 mg / dl. 4. HDL cholesterol \<40 mg / dl for males, \<50 mg / dl for females. 5. Arterial hypertension (≥ 135/85 mmHg). * Subjects who understand the nature of the study and provide their informed consent to participate. * Subjects willing and able to participate in the visits and in the procedures foreseen by the study protocol. Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects with dementia with MMSE \<24 test and on therapy with cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine\*. * Subjects with serious concomitant internal medical conditions or with neurological pathologies capable of causing cognitive dysfunction. * Subjects with hepato-biliary disorders, including bile duct obstruction, cholangitis, gallstones. * Subjects addicted to alcohol or drugs, or treated with psychotropic drugs at the time of enrollment. * Subjects with known or suspected allergy or hypersensitivity to turmeric or other components of the experimental / placebo product. * Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and in experimental therapy with Alzheimer's disease drugs. * Subjects who are participating or have participated in other clinical studies within 30 days before enrollment. * Subjects unable to sign the Informed Consent to Participation. * In case of conversion to dementia the Subjects will be kept in the study, will be subjected to the most appropriate therapies provided for the dementia pathology but will not enter the subsequent statistical evaluations.
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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
-
S.C. di Endocrinologia e Diabetologia, Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli"
Roma, 00168, Italy
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