Reduced risk of Alzheimer disease in users of antioxidant vitamin supplements: the Cache County Study.
BACKGROUND
Antioxidants may protect the aging brain against oxidative damage associated with pathological changes of Alzheimer disease (AD).


OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between antioxidant supplement use and risk of AD.


METHODS
Cross-sectional and prospective study of dementia. Elderly (65 years or older) county residents were assessed in 1995 to 1997 for prevalent dementia and AD, and again in 1998 to 2000 for incident illness. Supplement use was ascertained at the first contact.


METHODS
Cache County, Utah.


METHODS
Among 4740 respondents (93%) with data sufficient to determine cognitive status at the initial assessment, we identified 200 prevalent cases of AD. Among 3227 survivors at risk, we identified 104 incident AD cases at follow-up.


METHODS
Diagnosis of AD by means of multistage assessment procedures.


RESULTS
Analyses of prevalent and incident AD yielded similar results. Use of vitamin E and C (ascorbic acid) supplements in combination was associated with reduced AD prevalence (adjusted odds ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.60) and incidence (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.99). A trend toward lower AD risk was also evident in users of vitamin E and multivitamins containing vitamin C, but we saw no evidence of a protective effect with use of vitamin E or vitamin C supplements alone, with multivitamins alone, or with vitamin B-complex supplements.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of vitamin E and vitamin C supplements in combination is associated with reduced prevalence and incidence of AD. Antioxidant supplements merit further study as agents for the primary prevention of AD.
Zandi
Peter P
PP
Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Hampton House Room 857, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. pzandi@jhsph.edu
Anthony
James C
JC
Khachaturian
Ara S
AS
Stone
Stephanie V
SV
Gustafson
Deborah
D
Tschanz
JoAnn T
JT
Norton
Maria C
MC
Welsh-Bohmer
Kathleen A
KA
Breitner
John C S
JC
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid