The Role of Brain Lactate Metabolism in Neuroprotection During Healthy Aging

Part of paid clinical trials in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Sponsor
Northern Arizona University
Study ID
NCT07731451
Phase
EARLY_PHASE1
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Aging
  • Aging Well

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
20 Years - 80 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Sodium lactate infusion — BIOLOGICAL
    Sodium lactate will be infused to target circulating concentrations between 4-6 mmol/L
  • Exercise-induced hyperlactatemia — OTHER
    Cycling will be performed at an intensity to increase circulating lactate to 4-6 mmol/L

Study Details

The brain's primary source of fuel is glucose. Unfortunately, the brain's ability to use glucose declines during normal aging. This decline in brain glucose metabolism makes it vulnerable to cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The brain can use another fuel source - lactate - which becomes available to the brain during exercise. The investigators have discovered that when lactate fuels the brain, brain glucose metabolism also improves. Essentially, from a metabolic angle, the brain appears younger. Recently, the investigators have shown that lactate - even in the absence of exercise - stimulates this beneficial effect on the brain. The investigators propose to compare the effects of lactate in healthy young and older adults to test whether these beneficial lactate-mediated effects persist throughout the lifespan, thereby providing a blueprint to restore youthful brain glucose metabolism.

Key Dates

First listed
Jul 28, 2026
Start date
Jan 1, 2027
Status verified
Jul 2026
Primary completion
Jan 1, 2028
Completion
Jan 1, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment
40 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION

Arms

  • Active Comparator: Passive lactate
    Circulating lactate will be elevated via infusion
  • Experimental: Active lactate
    Circulating lactate will be elevated via exercise

Primary Outcome Measure

Cerebral metabolism [ Time Frame: -Pre-intervention in rested state -During intervention when lactate is experimentally elevated -After recovery from intervention ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Northern Arizona University Dept of Biological SciencesFlagstaffArizona86011
TRAVIS GIBBONS, PhD
[email protected]
7785836976

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By research site
Northern Arizona University Dept of Biological Sciences· Flagstaff, AZ

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