Cognitive function in healthy older European adults: the ZENITH study.
OBJECTIVE
Baseline data are reported from a study of the effects of zinc supplementation on cognitive function in older adults as assessed by the CANTAB computerised test battery.


METHODS
This is a multicentre prospective intervention study employing a randomised double-blind design.


METHODS
European community-based study.


METHODS
There are 387 healthy adults aged 55-87 y from centres in France, Italy and Northern Ireland.


METHODS
Measures of visual memory, working memory and attention were obtained at baseline (prior to supplementation).


RESULTS
Younger adults (<70 y) performed significantly better than older adults (>70 y) on all tests, with minimal differences between centres. In addition, men outperformed women on tests of spatial span, pattern recognition memory and reaction times, although these gender differences varied somewhat between centres.


CONCLUSIONS
The results are generally consistent with previous age- and gender-related effects on cognitive functioning.
Simpson
E E A
EE
School of Psychology/NICHE University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, UK. EEA.Simpson@ulster.ac.uk
Maylor
E A
EA
Rae
G
G
Meunier
N
N
Andriollo-Sanchez
M
M
Catasta
G
G
McConville
C
C
Ferry
M
M
Polito
A
A
Stewart-Knox
B J
BJ
Secker
D L
DL
Coudray
C
C
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D015032:Zinc