Cognitive function in elderly people is influenced by vitamin E status.
The aim of this study was to examine associations between vitamin E status and cognitive performance in elderly people. The study subjects were a group of 34 men and 86 women, aged 65-91 y, who were free of significant cognitive impairment. Dietary intake was monitored using a "weighed food record" for 5 consecutive days including a Sunday. Serum levels of alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol were determined by HPLC and colorimetric methods, respectively. The cognitive capacity of subjects was tested using the Pfeiffer's Mental Status Questionnaire (PMSQ). Subjects with vitamin E intakes lower than 50% of those recommended had higher PMSQ scores, demonstrating a greater number of errors in comparison to participants with a greater intake of the vitamin (0.91 +/- 1.22 vs. 0.47 +/- 0.60, respectively, P < 0.05). Subjects who made no errors in the PMSQ test had significantly higher serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations (19.7 +/- 8.6 micromol/L in men and 20.0 +/- 8.4 micromol/L in women) and alpha-tocopherol/cholesterol ratios (3.5 +/- 2.0 micromol/mmol in men 2.9 +/- 1.4 micromol/mmol in women) compared with those who made errors (alpha-tocopherol 15.1 +/- 5.6 micromol/L in men and 14.9 +/- 6.1 micromol/L in women; alpha-tocopherol/cholesterol ratio 2.4 +/- 0.8 and 2.3 +/- 1.3 micromol/mmol in men and women, respectively). This study shows there to be a relationship between vitamin E status and cognitive function, and that vitamin E status could be improved in this population of elderly individuals.
Ortega
Rosa M
RM
Departamento de Nutrición, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. rortega@farm.ucm.es
Requejo
Ana M
AM
López-Sobaler
Ana M
AM
Andrés
Pedro
P
Navia
Beatriz
B
Perea
Jose M
JM
Robles
Francisco
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*
D000975:Antioxidants; D002784:Cholesterol; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol