The relationship between nutrient intake and cognitive performance in people at risk of dementia.
BACKGROUND
There is evidence of a link between nutrient intake and cognitive impairment and decline in old age. There has been no study of nutrient intake in Irish subjects at risk of dementia.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible link between nutrient intake and cognitive performance in a group of Irish adults at risk of dementia, and to compare the nutrient intake in these adults stratified by the absence or presence of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 allele.


METHODS
Forty-four subjects, who were first-degree blood relatives of people with Alzheimer's disease, were recruited. Cognitive performance and nutritional intake were assessed and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype determined.


RESULTS
The intakes of cholesterol (P < 0.037) and Na (P < 0.037) were significantly higher in subjects with altered cognitive performance. There was no significant difference in nutrient intakes between APOE epsilon-4 allele positive and APOE epsilon-4 allele negative subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this work suggest that dietary cholesterol and sodium intake may be linked to cognitive impairment.
Salerno-Kennedy
R
R
Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. r.kennedy@ucc.ie
Cashman
K D
KD
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D018977:Micronutrients; D012982:Sodium, Dietary