title: Abeta40 is associated with cognitive function, body fat and physical fitness in healthy older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Body composition and obesity-related lifestyle factors are associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Amyloid beta (Abeta) is a peptide integral in the pathogenesis of AD. Abeta has been shown to be related to body fat and exercise in younger adults; however, no study to date has examined the possible relationship among Abeta, body composition and fitness indices in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five older adults without significant neurological or psychiatric history, underwent fasting blood draw and completed cognitive testing and body composition and physical fitness assessments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Partial correlations showed Abeta levels were inversely related to cognitive function, body fat and physical fitness measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings indicate Abeta is associated with cognitive function, body fat and physical fitness in neurologically healthy older adults. Further work is needed to clarify possible mechanisms, particularly longitudinal studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA.
authors.forename: Tricia M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Leahey
authors.forename: Taryn A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gunstad
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Glickman
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Spitznagel
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Judi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Juvancic-Heltzel
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000502:physiology*; D001066:Appetite; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C078592:amyloid beta-protein (1-40)