Relationship between Serum and Brain Carotenoids, -Tocopherol, and Retinol Concentrations and Cognitive Performance in the Oldest Old from the Georgia Centenarian Study
Oxidative stress is involved in age-related cognitive decline. The dietary antioxidants, carotenoids, tocopherols, and vitamin A may play a role in the prevention or delay in cognitive decline. In this study, sera were obtained from 78 octogenarians and 220 centenarians from the Georgia Centenarian Study. Brain tissues were obtained from 47 centenarian decedents. Samples were analyzed for carotenoids, -tocopherol, and retinol using HPLC. Analyte concentrations were compared with cognitive tests designed to evaluate global cognition, dementia, depression and cognitive domains (memory, processing speed, attention, and executive functioning). Serum lutein, zeaxanthin, and -carotene concentrations were most consistently related to better cognition ( ) in the whole population and in the centenarians. Only serum lutein was significantly related to better cognition in the octogenarians. In brain, lutein and -carotene were related to cognition with lutein being consistently associated with a range of measures. There were fewer significant relationships for -tocopherol and a negative relationship between brain retinol concentrations and delayed recognition. These findings suggest that the status of certain carotenoids in the old may reflect their cognitive function. The protective effect may not be related to an antioxidant effect given that -tocopherol was less related to cognition than these carotenoids. 1. Introduction Cognitive decline in the elderly is a significant public health issue. It has been estimated that the incidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is approximately 19% in those younger than 75 years and 29% in those older than 85 years [1]. Further, 13% of people aged 65 years and older are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. Studies in centenarians have reported considerable dementia, ranging from 42 to 100% [2, 3]. The number of individuals so affected is likely to increase given that the number of people over 65 years is rising. As with most age-related diseases, the most cost effective way to combat disease is through prevention. One possible strategy is nutrition intervention [4]. Fruit and vegetable intake has been associated with cognitive function [5–7]. For example, in a study of 13,388 women, it was found that total vegetable intake was significantly associated with reduced cognitive decline [8]. The strongest association was with greater intake of green leafy and cruciferous vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are major dietary sources of carotenoids. Carotenoids are a class of naturally occurring pigments that are synthesized by
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