Nutrient biomarker patterns, cognitive function, and MRI measures of brain aging.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the cross-sectional relationship between nutrient status and psychometric and imaging indices of brain health in dementia-free elders.


METHODS
Thirty plasma biomarkers of diet were assayed in the Oregon Brain Aging Study cohort (n = 104). Principal component analysis constructed nutrient biomarker patterns (NBPs) and regression models assessed the relationship of these with cognitive and MRI outcomes.


RESULTS
Mean age was 87 ± 10 years and 62% of subjects were female. Two NBPs associated with more favorable cognitive and MRI measures: one high in plasma vitamins B (B1, B2, B6, folate, and B12), C, D, and E, and another high in plasma marine ω-3 fatty acids. A third pattern characterized by high trans fat was associated with less favorable cognitive function and less total cerebral brain volume. Depression attenuated the relationship between the marine ω-3 pattern and white matter hyperintensity volume.


CONCLUSIONS
Distinct nutrient biomarker patterns detected in plasma are interpretable and account for a significant degree of variance in both cognitive function and brain volume. Objective and multivariate approaches to the study of nutrition in brain health warrant further study. These findings should be confirmed in a separate population.
Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA. bowmang@ohsu.edu
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Bowman
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Silbert
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Howieson
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Dodge
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D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3 / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003710:Demography; D004032:Diet; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011594:Psychometrics; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood
D053318:Apolipoprotein E3; D015415:Biomarkers; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014815:Vitamins