SCOPE Study

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the SCOPE Study!

SCOPE stands for the effects of soluble corn fiber consumption on cognitive function and gastrointestinal microbiota. The SCOPE study is a research project that is aiming to investigate the effects of daily consumption of a corn fiber supplement on various outcomes such as gut microbiome health and cognitive health. Contributing labs to this study are the Body Composition and Nutritional Neuroscience Laboratory and the Nutrition and Human Microbiome Lab.

This study will be completed over the course of 12-15 weeks inside and outside the laboratory at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. We are looking for men and women between the ages of 45-75 years old to participate in our study.

If you are interested in participating in the study, please contact us.

 

Study Description

This study will take place over the course of 12-15 weeks. You will be asked to consume two different daily supplements over the course of two 4-week intervention periods, with one 4-week period in between of no supplement consumption.

You will be asked to come into the lab 5 times (about 2 hours per visit) for cognitive testing, surveys, and to pick up supplements. You will also be asked to provide 8 stool samples throughout the course of the study. You can receive up to $350 upon completion of the study.

 

Exclusion Criteria

If you fall into any of the following categories, you will not be eligible to participate in this study:

  1. <45 or >75 years of age 
  2. Presence of cognitive impairment
  3. Presence of neurological disease (self-reported) 
  4. Presence of gastrointestinal diseases (self-reported) 
  5. Presence of prediabetes or diabetes (self-reported) 
  6. Color blindness 
  7. Abnormal or uncorrected vision 
  8. History of antibiotics or smoking over the past 3 months 
  9. Will not agree to refrain from taking pre- or probiotic supplements during the study 
  10. Will not agree to communicate any changes in chronic medications during the study 
  11. Body Mass Index (BMI) below 18.5 or greater than 34.9 kg/m2 
  12. Habitual dietary fiber consumption of >12g/d (women) and >19 g/d (men) 
  13. Consuming an extreme dietary pattern (e.g., vegan, keto, low FODMAP) 
  14. Allergies to corn and/or maltodextrin, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy 
  15. Will not agree to maintain habitual dietary patterns throughout the study period 
  16. Will not agree to maintain their current level of physical activity 
  17. Will not agree to complete all necessary study questionnaires and to provide stool specimens as required.

 

Contact Information

Email: SCOPEstudy@illinois.edu

Phone: 217-300-1667

Location: Freer Hall and Edward R. Madigan Laboratory