title: Use of Vitamin E and C Supplements for the Prevention of Cognitive Decline.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are few studies of the association between the use of antioxidant vitamin supplements and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cognitive decline is generally viewed as part of the continuum between normal aging and AD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether the use of vitamin E and C supplements is associated with reduced risks of cognitive impairment, not dementia (CIND), AD, or all-cause dementia in a representative sample of older persons ≥65 years old.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (1991-2002), a cohort study of dementia including 3 evaluation waves at 5-yearly intervals, were used. Exposure to vitamins E and C was self-reported at baseline in a risk factor questionnaire and/or in a clinical examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data set included 5269 individuals. Compared with those not taking vitamin supplements, the age-, sex-, and education-adjusted hazard ratios of CIND, AD, and all-cause dementia were, respectively, 0.77 (95% CI = 0.60-0.98), 0.60 (95% CI = 0.42-0.86), and 0.62 (95% CI = 0.46-0.83) for those taking vitamin E and/or C supplements. Results remained significant in fully adjusted models except for CIND. Similar results were observed when vitamins were analyzed separately.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This analysis suggests that the use of vitamin E and C supplements is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Further investigations are needed to determine their value as a primary prevention strategy.
authors.affiliation: 1 Centre d'excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec, CHU de Québec Research Center, Québec, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Luta Luse
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Basambombo
authors.affiliation: 1 Centre d'excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec, CHU de Québec Research Center, Québec, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Pierre-Hugues
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.affiliation: 2 Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Sharlène
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Côté
authors.affiliation: 1 Centre d'excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec, CHU de Québec Research Center, Québec, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Laurin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002170:Canada; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; antioxidants; cognition; elderly; observational study; vitamin supplement