title: Carbohydrates for improving the cognitive performance of independent-living older adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal cognition and dementia in which daily function is largely intact. This condition may present an opportunity for research into the prevention of dementia. Carbohydrate is an essential and easily accessible macronutrient which influences cognitive performance. A better understanding of carbohydrate-driven cognitive changes in normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment may suggest ways to prevent or reduce cognitive decline.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of carbohydrates in improving cognitive function in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched ALOIS, the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group Specialized Register on 22 June 2010 using the terms: carbohydrates OR carbohydrate OR monosaccharides OR disaccharides OR oligosaccharides OR polysaccharides OR CARBS. ALOIS contains records from all major healthcare databases (The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS) as well as from many trial databases and grey literature sources.
  
  
  METHODS
  All randomised controlled trials (RCT) that have examined the efficacy of any form of carbohydrates in normal cognition and MCI.
  
  
  METHODS
  One review author selected and retrieved relevant articles for further assessment. The remaining authors independently assessed whether any of the retrieved trials should be included. Disagreements were resolved by discussion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is no suitable RCT of any form of carbohydrates involving independent-living older adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are no suitable RCTs on which to base any recommendations about the use of any form of carbohydrate for enhancing cognitive performance in older adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment. More studies of many different carbohydrates are needed to tease out complex nutritional issues and further evaluate memory improvement.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Gerontology, University Putra Malaysia, 3rd floor, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia, 43400.
authors.forename: Cheow Peng
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Ooi
authors.forename: Seng Cheong
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Loke
authors.forename: Zaitun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yassin
authors.forename: Tengku-Aizan
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hamid
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates