Effect of an enriched drink on cognitive function in frail elderly persons.
BACKGROUND
Many elderly persons report that they have difficulties learning new things and remembering names, plans, and conversations. Because decreased cognitive function in elderly persons is potentially related to their poor nutritional status, provision of essential nutrients may improve cognitive function. The authors wanted to determine whether consumption of an enriched drink, including moderate doses of all essential micronutrients, improves cognitive function in frail elderly persons.


METHODS
Frail, white adults (n=101) who were aged 65 years or older with a body mass index<or=25 kg/m2 were selected for this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. They received either an enriched drink or a placebo product for 6 months. Before and after the intervention, participants' cognitive function was assessed (word learning test [WLT], WLT delayed, category fluency [CF] for animals and professions, and recognition memory test for words [RMTW]) and blood biochemical analyses (vitamin B12, homocysteine) were performed.


RESULTS
Sixty-seven residents completed the study period. After 6 months, significant differences were noted in changes of the WLT (0.9+/-0.3 vs -0.1+/-0.3; p=.014) and CF professions (1.2+/-0.7 vs -0.6+/-0.5; p=.017) in the supplement group (n=34) compared with the placebo group (n=33). No significant differences were observed in WLT delayed, RMTW, and CF animals. The plasma vitamin B12 concentration increased (105+/-50 vs 8 +/-16; p=.003) and the homocysteine concentration decreased (-6.3+/-5.9 vs -0.3+/-2.9; p=.000) in the supplement group compared with the placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study contributes to the evidence that nutritional supplementation may improve neuropsychological performance in frail elderly persons.
Wouters-Wesseling
Wendeline
W
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Diets, Numico Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands. wendeline.wouters@dmv-ny.com
Wagenaar
Lisette W
LW
Rozendaal
Marja
M
Deijen
Jan Berend
JB
de Groot
Lisette C
LC
Bindels
Jacques G
JG
van Staveren
Wija A
WA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001628:Beverages; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
D018697:Nootropic Agents; D006867:Hydrolases; C463961:homocysteinase; D014805:Vitamin B 12