ACE Trial

STUDY BASICS

Are you at least 65 years old? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study to determine if taking Equol, a plant-based supplement, could slow the progression of stiffening of the arteries, small blood vessel disease in the brain and memory decline. The ACE Trial is short for: Arterial Stiffness, Cognition and Equol.

STUDY PURPOSE

The main purpose of ACE is to determine if taking Equol, a plant-based supplement, could slow the progression of stiffening of the arteries, small blood vessel disease in the brain and memory decline. 

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• African-American or Caucasian
• Men and Women ages 65 to 85
• Willing and able to have an MRI scan
• Do not have dementia 
• Willing and able to attend 7 in-person visits over 2 years 

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

This study involves an initial phone call and screening visit to find out if you are eligible. As part of the study, we will complete several non-invasive tests like measuring your blood pressure and heart rate, height and weight, and doing tests of walking and thinking. We will collect a sample of your blood, urine and stool. If eligible after screening, participants will have more visits over 2 years and several phone calls. 

Participants will be asked to have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. MRI scans are not invasive and do not use radiation. We will also do an assessment of arterial stiffness and an ultrasound scan of your carotid arteries, both of which are non-invasive exams. We will ask ACE participants to be randomly assigned by a computer (by chance, like the flip of a coin) to a group that takes 10 mg Equol daily or to a group that takes a daily placebo. 

Participants will be paid up to $500 over the course of the study. Transportation assistance is available if needed.