OBJECTIVE: This study examines the sex-specific associations of plasma concentrations of iron, copper, and zinc with cognitive function in older community-dwelling adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: 1988-92 follow-up clinic visit. PARTICIPANTS: 602 men and 849 women (average age=75 +/- 8 years) who were community-dwelling and not clinically demented. MEASUREMENTS: Blood samples were assayed for trace elements and 12 cognitive function tests were administered. Sex-specific analyses were adjusted for age, education, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise, and estrogen use in women. RESULTS: Men and women differed significantly in education and alcohol intake (p's < 0.001), concentrations of plasma iron, copper and zinc (p's < 0.001) and scores on 11 of 12 cognitive function tests (p=0.04 to < 0.001). Regression analyses showed significant inverted U-shaped associations in men; both low and high iron levels were associated with poor performance on total and long-term recall and Serial 7's (p's=0.018, 0.042 and 0.004, respectively) compared to intermediate concentrations. In women, iron and copper concentrations had inverse linear associations with Buschke total, long and short-term recall and Blessed scores (p's < 0.05). Zinc was positively associated with performance on Blessed Items (p=0.008). Analyses comparing cognitive function using categorically defined mineral concentrations yielded similar sex specific results. CONCLUSION: Optimal trace element concentrations may exist for optimal cognitive function in older adults, and these levels may differ by sex and cognitive function domain.
OBJECTIVE: This study examines the sex-specific associations of plasma concentrations of iron, copper, and zinc with cognitive function in older community-dwelling adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: 1988-92 follow-up clinic visit. PARTICIPANTS: 602 men and 849 women (average age=75 +/- 8 years) who were community-dwelling and not clinically demented. MEASUREMENTS: Blood samples were assayed for trace elements and 12 cognitive function tests were administered. Sex-specific analyses were adjusted for age, education, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise, and estrogen use in women. RESULTS:Men and women differed significantly in education and alcohol intake (p's < 0.001), concentrations of plasma iron, copper and zinc (p's < 0.001) and scores on 11 of 12 cognitive function tests (p=0.04 to < 0.001). Regression analyses showed significant inverted U-shaped associations in men; both low and high iron levels were associated with poor performance on total and long-term recall and Serial 7's (p's=0.018, 0.042 and 0.004, respectively) compared to intermediate concentrations. In women, iron and copper concentrations had inverse linear associations with Buschke total, long and short-term recall and Blessed scores (p's < 0.05). Zinc was positively associated with performance on Blessed Items (p=0.008). Analyses comparing cognitive function using categorically defined mineral concentrations yielded similar sex specific results. CONCLUSION: Optimal trace element concentrations may exist for optimal cognitive function in older adults, and these levels may differ by sex and cognitive function domain.
Authors: B Vellas; S Lauque; S Andrieu; F Nourhashemi; Y Rolland; R Baumgartner; P Garry Journal: Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care Date: 2001-01 Impact factor: 4.294
Authors: Shelly L Gray; Joseph T Hanlon; Lawrence R Landerman; Margaret Artz; Kenneth E Schmader; Gerda G Fillenbaum Journal: Am J Geriatr Pharmacother Date: 2003-09
Authors: M Warthon-Medina; V H Moran; A-L Stammers; S Dillon; P Qualter; M Nissensohn; L Serra-Majem; N M Lowe Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2015-04-29 Impact factor: 4.016