RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Creatine and Resistance Training in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

This 26-week study aims to find out if taking creatine supplements and doing regular resistance exercise, by themselves or combined, can improve memory, brain health, and physical fitness in older adults who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI means experiencing slight memory or thinking problems more often than expected for your age, but it's not as severe as dementia. Researchers already know that exercise can boost brain health. Creatine, a natural body substance, often decreases with age. While creatine is known to help muscle and bone strength, this study will investigate its potential benefits for the brain, especially when combined with exercise, in people with MCI.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Western University, Canada

Enrolment target

200

Start

01 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2027

Creatine Exercise Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

What is this study about?

This study is particularly for older adults who are experiencing some mild memory or thinking difficulties, often called "mild cognitive impairment" or MCI. It's not as severe as dementia, but it means memory or thinking isn't quite as sharp as it used to be. The main goal of this research is to see if two things – a supplement called creatine and a type of exercise called resistance training (like weightlifting) – can help improve memory, overall brain health, and physical abilities.

Researchers are curious because past studies have shown that resistance exercise can already make a positive difference in brain health for older people. Creatine naturally occurs in our bodies but tends to decrease as we get older. While we know creatine can help build muscle and bone, there's a growing idea that it might also be good for the brain. However, we don't fully understand how creatine affects an ageing brain, especially for those with memory concerns, and what happens when it's combined with exercise.

This 26-week trial wants to answer these questions. Participants will be divided into different groups: some will take creatine, some will get a dummy pill (placebo), some will do resistance training, and some will do gentle balance and stretching exercises. By comparing these groups, the researchers hope to learn if creatine or exercise, or both together, can make a meaningful difference to how older adults with MCI think, move, and maintain their brain health.

Key takeaways

Exploring if creatine and exercise improve memory for people with mild memory problems.
Study lasts 26 weeks (about 6 months).
Involves daily supplements and three weekly exercise classes.
Comparing creatine, exercise, both, or neither against gentle activities.
Aims to understand effects on memory, brain, and physical health in older adults.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you need to be at least 60 years old and handle your daily life independently. You should be able to read, write, and speak English well, and have good eyesight and hearing (with glasses or hearing aids if needed). You also need to have noticed some memory concerns in the last five years and score between 19 and 25 out of 30 on a standard memory test (called MoCA).

It's important that you can commit to exercising moderately three times a week for an hour, and your doctor must confirm you're fit enough for an exercise programme and meet all the study's health requirements. You can't join if you regularly do a lot of exercise or take creatine supplements already, or if you have certain health conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, serious kidney, heart, or liver problems. Also, if you have any uncontrolled long-term illnesses, certain allergies, or can't have an MRI scan, you won't be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 60 years old or older?
Can you commit to exercising for an hour, three times a week for 26 weeks?
Have you noticed some memory or thinking problems in the last 5 years?
Can your doctor confirm you are healthy enough for an exercise programme?
Do you avoid regular frequent exercise or taking creatine supplements currently?
Do you not have serious medical conditions like liver, heart, or kidney disease, or Alzheimer's/Parkinson's?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, it will last for 26 weeks, which is about six months. Before starting, you'll have an initial check-up. You'll be placed into one of four different groups. Depending on your group, you might take a creatine supplement or a dummy pill (placebo) every day. You'll also either attend three 60-minute resistance training classes per week, where the exercises will gradually get harder, or three 60-minute classes focusing on balance, stretching, and gentle movements. Researchers will collect information about your memory, brain health, and physical abilities both at the beginning and again after the 26 weeks to see if there have been any changes.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer some potential benefits, as researchers believe creatine and exercise could improve memory, brain health, and physical ability. However, because this is a research study, we don't know for sure if you will personally experience these benefits. There are potential risks associated with any exercise programme, especially if you have underlying health conditions, and also with taking supplements, though creatine is generally considered safe. You will have a doctor's check before starting to ensure your safety. Taking part is entirely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Western University
Verified postcode
London, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?

MCI means you have some memory or thinking problems that are more than normal for your age, but they're not severe enough to be called dementia and don't stop you from doing daily activities.

What is creatine?

Creatine is a natural substance found in your body, mainly in muscles. It helps your muscles produce energy. Supplements are often used to boost strength and muscle mass.

What is resistance training?

Resistance training is a type of exercise that uses weights, resistance bands, or your own body weight to build muscle strength and mass, like lifting weights.

Will I know if I'm taking creatine or a dummy pill?

No, you won't know if you're taking creatine or a dummy pill (placebo) during the study. This helps researchers get unbiased results. The researchers also won't know until the study is over.

How long will the study last?

The study itself will last for 26 weeks, which is about six months.

How to find out more

Lindsay Nagamatsu, PhD

lnagamat@uwo.ca 519 661-2111 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.