Clinical Research Directory

Effect of Vegetarien Diet on Protein Digestibility in Young and Elderly Volunteers

Plant proteins are usually less digestible than animal proteins, but they may benefit gut health through effects on the microbiome. The long-term impact of diets rich in plant products on protein digestion and metabolism is still unknown, especially in older adults with higher protein needs. This study aims to compare the digestion and use of pea proteins in young and older adults, both vegetarians and omnivores. Volunteers are divided into four groups: young omnivores, young vegetarians, older omnivores, and older vegetarians. They take part in two clinical investigation days. On the first day, nitrogen retention and protein metabolism is measured after consumption of a pea-based meal. On the second day, amino acid digestibility of pea is evaluated. These results will provide valuable data on how plant proteins are digested and metabolized depending on age and diet. They will also help determine whether aging reduces the availability of plant proteins. This knowledge is important to support nutritional strategies for populations with specific protein needs, such as older adults.

CanCan Body Composition Study

The aim of this study is to develop a dataset with reference body composition measurements using criterion methods. This dataset will be used to develop new protocols to study patients with cancer. Obtaining measurements of sodium bromide (NaBr), deuterium dilution (D2O), and D3-Creatine in a stratified sample of adults will determine the accuracy (and precision) of the available devices for ECW, TBW, and skeletal muscle mass measurements.

Study of Visual Mecanisms Involved in Face Recognition

Since the 19th century, perception has been regarded as an inferential process in which sensory input is compared with prior knowledge, namely the internalised representation of the visual environment. This notion is central to the understanding of everyday perception and cognition in general, and is attracting much attention in various areas of psychology and cognitive neuroscience. However, it is unclear whether and how the primary visual refinement that is thought to underlie the convergence of bottom-up inputs with top-down prior knowledge applies to the processing of meaningful stimuli in our everyday lives. The investigators have shown that human face processing mechanisms are shaped by prior knowledge that the horizontal range of face information conveys the richest and most reliable cues. Furthermore, investigators' previous data suggest that the primary visual cortex is recruited during the progressive refinement of face representation. Using very high field neuroimaging, the present project proposes to follow the neural mechanisms underlying the cortical refinement of horizontal information in human face processing, and to study their contribution to behaviour.

Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training Exercise on Cognitive Function of Young Adults

To explore the sustainability of the acute effect of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on executive function in young adults.