Cognitive functions are not affected by dietary fatty acids in elderly subjects in the Pro.V.A. study population.
OBJECTIVE
Environmental, life-style, and dietary factors, including the type of dietary fatty acids consumed, may influence the onset of dementia. The aim of the present study was therefore to examine whether type of dietary fats consumed is associated with cognitive performance.


METHODS
Using gaschromatography, plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition was determined in a sample of subjects (age > or = 65 years) randomly selected from the general Pro.V.A. study population. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition is a reliable marker of the type of fats present in the diet. The subjects' cognitive capacity was tested using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).


RESULTS
At multiple regression analysis, the MMSE score variance was correlated with age and education level In 30% of cases, whereas the other variables considered (including type of fatty acids consumed) had an almost negligible effect.


CONCLUSIONS
In free-living elderly subjects, moderate to severe cognitive impairment is not associated with dietary fatty acids.
Manzato
Enzo
E
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. enzo.manzato@unipd.it
Roselli della Rovere
Giovanni
G
Zambon
Sabina
S
Romanato
Giovanna
G
Corti
Maria Chiara
MC
Sartori
Leonardo
L
Baggio
Giovannella
G
Crepaldi
Gaetano
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011897:Random Allocation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004041:Dietary Fats; D010743:Phospholipids