The association of metabolic syndrome with executive dysfunction independent of subclinical ischemic brain lesions in Japanese adults.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to examine whether metabolic syndrome is directly associated with cognitive impairment independent of subclinical ischemic brain lesions.


METHODS
We examined 1,543 neurologically normal subjects (44-86 years of age). Metabolic syndrome, brain MRI, and cognitive functions including general cognition and executive function were assessed.


RESULTS
After adjusting for silent brain lesions and demographic risk factors, metabolic syndrome was an independent risk factor for impairment of executive function (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.17-1.25 for Kohs' Test; OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.64-3.07 for Frontal Assessment Battery). Among the components of metabolic syndrome, elevated fasting glucose was the only independent risk factor for impairment of executive function.


CONCLUSIONS
Metabolic syndrome is associated with impairment of executive function independent of silent brain lesions in the Japanese population.
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo, Japan.
Hirokazu
H
Bokura
Atsushi
A
Nagai
Hiroaki
H
Oguro
Shotai
S
Kobayashi
Shuhei
S
Yamaguchi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000523:psychology; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007564:Japan; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors