Information about the BCNN Lab.

BCNNThe Body Composition and Nutritional Neuroscience Lab is a research laboratory within the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We seek to understand and study the relationship between lifestyle behaviors (e.g., diet and physical activity), abdominal adiposity, and cognitive and brain health in the pediatric and adult population. Check out the tabs below to learn more about our studies and research topics.

Our Principal Investigator is Naiman Khan.

Check out our website here to learn more and how to get involved.

BCNN Studies Research Topics
Children and Families

BAT Kids: Behavioral Associations with Thinking in Kids is a study for children ages 4-5 years that is investigating the relationship between early life nutrition and thinking ability. (currently enrolling)

Gardening and Family Health Study: This study aims to understand the relationship between gardening and individual and family health.  Two adults between the ages of 18-45 and one child between the ages of 5-17.  Gardeners and non-gardeners welcome.

RETLU: This study retrospectively investigates the effects of early life nutrition on brain structure, function, and cognition among current and previous child participants ages 7-12 years.

SHELL Study: This study examines the relationships between dietary intake, retinal health, and cognition in children ages 7-12 years. (currently enrolling)

WITIKids: Water Intervention for Thinking in Kids ages 9-10 years. This study aims to assess the effects of fluid intake reduction on markers of hydration status and cognitive function.

Adults

EPOCH: Evidence-based dietary strategies provide behavioral means of mitigating the effects of obesity on physical and cognitive function in adults ages 25-45 years. The EPOCH study aims to investigate the effects of a fermented dairy beverage consumption and a lactose-free dairy beverage with added dietary prebiotic fiber on changes in behavioral and biological measures of cognition and stress among obese adults.

Gut-Brain: A cross-sectional study in adults ages 25-44 years aimed at examining the relationship between lifestyle behaviors, gut function, metabolism, and thinking ability. (currently enrolling)

LUMES: Lutein and Multiple Sclerosis Evaluation Study. LUMES is examining the relationship between macular carotenoids, retinal health, and cognition in people with Multiple Sclerosis in adults ages 45-64 years. (currently enrolling)

PATH: A 12-week dietary intervention in adults ages 25-45 years aimed at examining the relationships between dietary intake, gut function, metabolism, and thinking ability.