Nikki Jandt Denise Halbach Tearanie VanBoxel Life Cycle Nutrition - 350

Introduction Life expectancy  Cognitive impairments incidence and prevalence increases with age, so research is being done in hope to maintain the quality of life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 80% of dementia cases. ≈ 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease.

Objective To investigate the relationship between plasma levels of Vitamin E and cognitive impairment and dementia in a large sample of older subjects living in Tuscany, Italy.

Risk Factors of Cognitive Decline Formation of oxygen free radicals. Oxidative damage by the attack of free radicals on cells. B-amyloid and tau proteins inducing oxidative stress.

Vitamin E and Antioxidants Ability to prevent the peroxidation of lipids in blood and biological membranes. Reduce oxidative stress. Increase rate of protein degradation by lysosomes in human astrocyte glial cells.

Article: Vitamin E levels, cognitive impairment and dementia in older persons: the InCHIANTI study September 23, 2004

1033 people ≥ 65 years of age (56% women, 44% men) Normal cognitive function n= 807 Cognitive impairment n= 168 Dementia n= 58 Measured: Blood level vitamin E Dietary intake patterns Determine if blood levels of vitamin E are associated with risk of cognitive impairment or dementia * MMSE score, self reporting questionnaire dietary patterns, self-reporting ADL’s

Results *Indicates adjusted for age, gender, education, lipid levels, total energy, vitamin E daily intakes, smoking habits

Strengths & Weaknesses Strengths  Population-based study  Dementia vs. cognitive impairment  Food frequency  Plasma vitamin E levels  Lifestyles  (smoking, lipid intake)  Exclusion criteria Weaknesses  Food recall bias

Conclusion The results show to be statistically significant (>1 odd ratio) Shows an association, NOT causation Basis for future research

References 1. Cherubini A, Martin A, Andres-Lacueva C; et al. Vitamin E levels, cognitive impairment and dementia in older persons: the In CHIANTI study. Neurobiology of Aging. September 2004; 26: doi: /j.neurobiolaging Wengreen HJ, Munger RG, Corcoran CD; et al. Antioxidant intake and cognitive function of elderly men and women: the Cache county study. The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging. May/June 2007; 11(3): Available from: ProQuest Central. Accessed April 29, Morris MC, Evans DA, BIenas JL; et al. Vitamin E and cognitive decline in older persons. Archives of Neurology. 2002; 59: Available from: EBSCO: MEDLINE(via SFX). Accessed April 29, Kang JH, Cook N, Manson J; et al. A randomized trial of Vitamin E supplementation and cognitive function in women. JAMA Internal Medicine. December 2006; 266: Avaiable from: EBSCO: MEDLINE(via SFX). Accessed April 29, 2013.