title: Dietary antioxidant intake and cognitive performance in middle-aged adults. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study investigators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the cross-sectional association of dietary and supplemental antioxidant (carotenoids, vitamins C and E) intake with cognitive function in 12 187 individuals, aged 48-67 years, participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins, as assessed by a food frequency questionnaire, and use of supplements were analysed in relation to the results of three cognitive tests, the delayed word recall test, the Wechsler adult intelligence scale, revised (WAIS-R) digit symbol subtest and the word fluency test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for covariates previously found to be associated with cognition in this sample, we found no consistent associations between dietary antioxidant vitamin intake or supplement use and any of the cognitive tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests little, if any, association between antioxidant vitamin intake and better cognitive function in middle-aged adults.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454-1015, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Folsom
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Knopman
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Mosley
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Goff
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szklo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D001205:Ascorbic Acid