Review of the Recent Medical Literature

High Copper, Fat Intake and Cognitive Decline
Data collected from 3718 community-dwelling persons aged ≥65 years showed that high copper intake was associated with an increased rate of cognitive decline, but only in those whose diet was high in saturated and trans fats. Compared with persons in the lowest quintile for copper intake, cognitive decline among those in the highest quintile was accelerated at a rate equivalent to adding 19 years to their age. A strong dose-response association was observed between cognitive decline and high copper dose in vitamin supplements.

Morris MC, et al. Dietary copper and high saturated and trans fat intakes associated with cognitive decline. Arch Neurol. 2006; 63: 1085-1088.

Chronic Hyperglycemia May Cause Dementia
A study of 1983 postmenopausal women (mean age, 67.2 years) who had hemoglobin (Hb) A_1c levels mea­sured at baseline and were followed for 4 years showed that in those with HbA_1c levels ≥7%, the age-adjusted odds ratio for mild cognitive impairment was 3.70 and for cognitive impairment or dementia was 2.86. For every 1% increase in HbA_1c, the age-adjusted odds ratio for mild cognitive impairment alone was 1.5, and, when combined with dementia, was 1.4.

Yaffe K, et al. Glycosylated hemoglobin level and development of mild cognitive impairment or dementia in older women. J Nutr Health Aging. 2006; 10:293-295.

Mild Anemia Linked to Cognitive Impairment
Preliminary evidence suggests that mild anemia may be an independent risk factor for executive function impairment in community-dwelling elderly. Investigators recruited 364 women aged 70 to 80 years who had a hemoglobin concentration of ≥10 g/dL and a Mini-Mental State Examination score of ≥24. Participants completed the Trail Making Test (TMT) parts A and B. Those with mild anemia (hemoglobin level <12 g/dL) comprised the majority of those who fell in the worst test performance tertile on all the tests. Those with anemia were nearly 5 times as likely to perform at the worst level on the TMT-A and more than 4 times as likely to rate worst on TMT-B minus TMT-A performance.

Chaves PH, et al. Association between mild anemia and executive function impairment in community-dwelling older women: The Women’s Health and Aging Study II. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006; 54: 1429-1435.

Rapid Weight Loss May Signal Alzheimer’s
Accelerated involuntary weight loss in older persons may be a precursor of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In a study of 449 older adults (aged 65-95) who were followed up for a mean of 6 years, a total of 125 persons were diagnosed with AD, and the other 324 persons remained dementia-free. Annual measurements of body weight and linear regression analysis revealed that those who were diagnosed with AD lost about 1.2 lb in the year preceding their diagnosis, compared with only about 0.6 lb annual weight loss among those who remained free of dementia and AD. Those who were eventually diagnosed with AD during the study had also weighed an average of 8 lb less at enrollment than those who remained dementia-free.

Johnson DK, et al. Accelerated weight loss may precede diagnosis in Alzheimer disease. Arch Neurol. 2006; 63:1312-1317.

Fruit and Vegetable Juice Delays Alzheimer’s
Drinking fruit and vegetable juices may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to a population-based study of 1836 Japanese Americans who were dementia-free at baseline (1992-1994) and were followed through 2001. Compared with those who drank juices less than once weekly, the hazard ratio for AD was 0.84 in those who drank juices once or twice weekly and 0.24 in those who drank juices at least 3 times weekly. These effects were greatest in those who were not physically active or were at increased risk for AD. No association was found in this study between risk of AD and dietary intake of vitamin E, C, or beta-carotene or tea consumption.

Dai Q, et al. Fruit and vegetable juices and Alzheimer’s disease: the Kame Project. Am J Med. 2006; 119:751-759.

Two-Week Program Can Improve Memory
A 14-day program incorporating simple techniques, such as memory exercises and relaxation methods, improves cognitive function and brain metabolism in persons with mild memory problems. A group of 17 nondemented persons (mean age, 53 years) with self-reported mild memory complaints, but with normal baseline memory performance scores, were randomized to a lifestyle intervention program or to their usual lifestyle routine. The program consisted of a brain-healthy diet, relaxation exercises, cardiovascular conditioning, and mental exercises. After 2 weeks, the study group had better word fluency and a 5% decrease in metabolic activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during mental rest, a potential marker of increased cognitive efficiency.

Small GW, et al. Effects of a 14-day healthy longevity lifestyle program on cognition and brain function. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2006; 14:538-545.