Abeta40 is associated with cognitive function, body fat and physical fitness in healthy older adults.
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.
Leahey
Tricia M
TM
Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA.
Myers
Taryn A
TA
Gunstad
John
J
Glickman
Ellen
E
Spitznagel
Mary Beth
MB
Alexander
Thomas
T
Juvancic-Heltzel
Judi
J
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*
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C078592:amyloid beta-protein (1-40)