title: Dietary antioxidants and cognitive function in a population-based sample of older persons. The Rotterdam Study.
abstract: Antioxidants have been implicated in processes related to atherosclerosis, aging, and selective neuronal damage, all of which may ultimately affect cognitive function. In a sample of older persons, the authors examined the cross-sectional relation between cognitive function and dietary intake of beta-carotene and vitamins C and E. The data were derived from 5,182 community participants aged 55-95 years in the population-based Rotterdam Study in the period 1990 to 1993. Dietary intake was estimated from a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and categorized into five levels of intake. Cognitive function was measured with the 30-point Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and characterized as unimpaired (> 25 points) or impaired (< or = 25 points). Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for cognitive impairment. After adjustment for age, education, sex, smoking, total caloric intake, and intake of other antioxidants, a lower intake of beta-carotene was associated with impaired cognitive function (< 0.9 mg vs. > or = 2.1 mg intake, OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.1; p for trend < 0.04). There was no association between cognitive function and intake of vitamins C and E. These cross-sectional observations are compatible with the view that beta-carotene-rich foods may protect against cognitive impairment in older people. The finding could also reflect unmeasured confounding, measurement error, or a change in food habits that resulted from rather than preceded the onset of cognitive impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Jama
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Launer
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Witteman
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: den Breeijen
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Breteler
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Grobbee
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D013383:Suburban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants