Cognitive Impairment In Elderly People Research Articles

Risk factors of cognitive impairment in elderly people in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

To study the risk factors of cognitive impairment in elderly people in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Study design - cross - sectional. 385 elderly people randomly selected from all over Kazakhstan took part in the survey. The questionnaire for the elderly included socio-demographic data and a small test that determines the absence or the risk of developing cognitive impairment. Incomplete secondary education increases the risk of developing CI 4.92 times, secondary education 1.24, secondary special education 2.25 times compared to higher education. The absence of work at this time increases the risk of cognitive impairment compared to those who continue to work 2.24 times, being retired 0.42 times. Smoking increases the risk of developing CI compared to those who do not smoke 2.51 times, smoking history 0.86 times. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing CI compared to those who do not drink alcohol 1.62 times, other (on holidays) 0.31 times . Prevention of dementia does not exist today, but it is possible to reduce the risk of its development. Risk factors increase the chances of getting sick but also serve as guidelines that can be influenced (Tab. 3, Ref. 17).

The Association of Calcium Signaling Pathway Gene Variants, Bone Mineral Density and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Elderly People.

The association of calcium signaling pathway gene variants, bone mineral density (BMD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is poorly understood so far. A total of 878 participants from Qingdao city were recruited in this study. According to the candidate gene selection method, 58 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight calcium signaling genes were selected. The association between gene polymorphisms and MCI was revealed by using multiple genetic models. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) were used to summarize the effects of the whole gene. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between each PRS and MCI. The multiplicative interaction term in the regression models was used to estimate the interaction effects between the PRS and BMD. We observed significant associations of rs6877893 (NR3C1), rs6448456 (CCKAR), and rs723672 (CACNA1C) polymorphisms with MCI. The PRSs of NR3C1 (OR = 4.012, 95% CI = 1.722-9.347, p < 0.001), PRKCA (OR = 1.414, 95% CI = 1.083-1.845, p = 0.011) and TRPM1 (OR = 3.253, 95% CI = 1.116-9.484, p = 0.031) were associated with an increased risk of developing MCI, and the PRS of total genes (OR = 0.330, 95% CI = 0.224-0.485, p < 0.001) was associated with a decreased risk of developing MCI. In interaction effect analysis, the interaction effect of PRKCA and BMD was significant. Genetic variations of the calcium signaling pathway were associated with MCI in older people. There was an interaction effect between PRKCA gene variants and BMD on MCI.

Prospects for the use of intranasally administered insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 in cerebral ischemia

Currently, the approaches used to treat stroke have significant limitations, and neuroprotective therapy is ineffective. In this regard, the search for effective neuroprotectors and the development of new neuroprotective strategies in cerebral ischemia are still relevant. Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) play a key role in the functioning of the brain, are involved in the regulation of growth, differentiation and survival of neurons, neuronal plasticity, food intake, control peripheral metabolism and endocrine functions. They have a complex effect on the brain, including neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemia and stroke. Experiments on animals and cell cultures have shown that insulin and IGF-1 under hypoxic conditions improve energy metabolism in neurons and glial cells, have a positive effect on blood microcirculation in the brain, restore nerve cell functions and neurotransmission processes, and have anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects on brain cells. Of greatest interest to the clinic is the intranasal route of administration of insulin and IGF-1, since it allows dosed delivery of these hormones directly to the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Intranasally administered insulin demonstrates a pronounced positive effect in the correction of cognitive impairment in elderly people with neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders. Insulin and IGF-1 administered intranasally improve increase the survival of animals with ischemic stroke. The review discusses literature data and the results of our own studies on the mechanisms of the neuroprotective action of intranasally administered insulin and IGF-1 in cerebral ischemia and the prospects for their use to normalize CNS functions and reduce neurodegenerative changes in this pathology.

Impaired Cognition – A Menace to Aging

Cognition is defined as mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience and senses. It is an age-related degenerative condition, as the age advances, individuals experience deteriorative changes in their cognitive abilities. It is estimated that nearly four fifth of the elderly above 60 years of age will be living in developing countries like Africa, Asia by 2050, thereby placing the developing countries to face threat of cognitive impairment among elderly when compared to developed countries. The result of striking increase in ag-ing population of India, it is expected to have a substantial increase in elderly suffering from cognitive impair-ment. This review involves discussing the various causes, pathophysiology, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with this increasing cognitive deterioration in elderly people, diagnostic criteria, and preven-tive methods. This review will help in better understanding of the cognitive impairment in elderly people. Better understanding of the disease helps in better treatment modalities.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease using Machine Learning Algorithms

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases and is considered to be the main cause of cognitive impairment in elderly people. It is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions and causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and worsen over time Symptoms may become severe enough to interfere with daily life, and lead to death. In 2022, 55 million people worldwide suffered from this disease. AD is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050, and at least 43% of prevalent cases need a high level of care. Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) give datasets that can be utilized for different Alzheimer's Disease related examinations. The dataset consists of a longitudinal MRI data of 150 subjects aged 60 to 96.72 of the subjects were grouped as 'Nondemented' throughout the study.64 of the subjects were grouped as 'Demented' at the time of their initial visits and remained so throughout the study.14 subjects were grouped as 'Nondemented' at the time of their initial visit and were subsequently characterized as 'Demented' at a later visit. These fall under the 'Converted' category. In our project, we propose some machine learning models to detect the Alzheimer's disease in earlier stage by finding the accuracy levels and determining the attributes that helps us to find the maximum accuracy rate.

Automatic detection of cognitive impairment in elderly people using an entertainment chatbot with Natural Language Processing capabilities

Previous researchers have proposed intelligent systems for therapeutic monitoring of cognitive impairments. However, most existing practical approaches for this purpose are based on manual tests. This raises issues such as excessive caretaking effort and the white-coat effect. To avoid these issues, we present an intelligent conversational system for entertaining elderly people with news of their interest that monitors cognitive impairment transparently. Automatic chatbot dialogue stages allow assessing content description skills and detecting cognitive impairment with Machine Learning algorithms. We create these dialogue flows automatically from updated news items using Natural Language Generation techniques. The system also infers the gold standard of the answers to the questions, so it can assess cognitive capabilities automatically by comparing these answers with the user responses. It employs a similarity metric with values in [0, 1], in increasing level of similarity. To evaluate the performance and usability of our approach, we have conducted field tests with a test group of 30 elderly people in the earliest stages of dementia, under the supervision of gerontologists. In the experiments, we have analysed the effect of stress and concentration in these users. Those without cognitive impairment performed up to five times better. In particular, the similarity metric varied between 0.03, for stressed and unfocused participants, and 0.36, for relaxed and focused users. Finally, we developed a Machine Learning algorithm based on textual analysis features for automatic cognitive impairment detection, which attained accuracy, F-measure and recall levels above 80%. We have thus validated the automatic approach to detect cognitive impairment in elderly people based on entertainment content. The results suggest that the solution has strong potential for long-term user-friendly therapeutic monitoring of elderly people.

Perspective of caregivers towards early signs of memory decline in their elderly relatives among the Saudi population

Objectives: World aging poses a big challenge with the rise of people with cognitive impairment. We aim in this study to understand the perspective of the caregivers towards the early signs of memory decline and cognitive impairment in their elderly relatives; we also aim to understand the impact of culture on their perspective. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach. It was approved by the Institutional Review Board prior to data collection, using a survey containing 41 items of collected data from 101 caregivers. We obtained signed written informed consent from each subject. Results: A sample of 101 participants enrolled in this study, of whom about 60.4% (n=61) were males and 39.6% (n=40) were females. The mean age of the elderly relatives of the caregivers was (73.5±10.0) years and mean years of education was (6.5±7.5) years. Significant differences between males and females were found in terms of driving and using public transportation as this might alert the caregiver about early signs of memory decline (2=6.785, p=0.009). Conclusion: Some cultural perspective could be identified that could help earlier detection of cognitive impairment in elderly people who rely largely on their caregivers. Caregivers are the first people to encounter the early changes in the behavior of the demented elderly; understanding their perspective can help providing more efficient health care. Key words: dementia, caregivers, perspective, memory decline, culture

Fine or Gross Motor Index as a Simple Tool for Predicting Cognitive Impairment in Elderly People: Findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA).

Several kinds of motor dysfunction can predict future cognitive impairment in elderly individuals. However, the ability of the fine motor index (FINEA) and gross motor index (GROSSA) to predict the risk of cognitive impairment has not been assessed. We investigated the associations between FINEA/GROSSA and cognitive impairment. The data of 4,745 participants from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) were analyzed. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We first assessed the correlation between the FINEA/GROSSA and MMSE in a cross-sectional study. Then, we further investigated the predictive role of the incidence of cognitive impairment in a prospective cohort study. We found that both FINEA and GROSSA were negatively correlated with MMSE in both the unadjusted (FINEA: B = -1.00, 95%confidence intervals (CI): -1.17, -0.83, t = -11.53, p < 0.001; GROSSA: B = -0.85, 95%CI: -0.94, -0.76, t = -18.29, p < 0.001) and adjusted (FINEA: B = -0.63, 95%CI: -0.79, -0.47, t = -7.77, p < 0.001; GROSSA: B = -0.57, 95%CI: -0.66, -0.48, t = -12.61, p < 0.001) analyses in a cross-sectional study. In a prospective cohort study, both high FINEA and high GROSSA were associated with an increased incidence of cognitive function impairment (FINEA: adjusted odds ratios (OR) = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.05, 5.23, p = 0.036; GROSSA adjusted OR = 3.00, 95%CI: 1.49, 6.03, p = 0.002) after 2 years of follow-up. Higher FINEA and GROSSA scores were both associated with an increased incidence of cognitive impairment. FINEA or GROSSA might be a simple tool for identifying patients with cognitive impairment.

Physical activity and cognitive impairment among the elderly in some districts of Ha Nam province in 2018

The study was conducted on 1,210 elderly people (aged 60 and older) with the purpose of understanding physical activity and cognitive impairment among elderly people in some districts of Ha Nam province in 2018. The results showed that the percentage of elderly people with symptoms of cognitive impairment was high, accounting for 46.36%. There was a significant difference between the rate of cognitive impairment of the group who exercised frequently (41.92%) and that of the group who did not exercise (51.62%) (p&lt;0.05). Compared to the Non-exercise group, the risks of cognitive impairment of group exercise 15 - 45 minutes/week (OR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.51 - 0.93); group exercise 45 - 90 minute/week group (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.44 - 0.84) and group exercise Over 90 minutes/week (OR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.27 - 0.67) were all significantly lower. The more time the research subjects exercise, the lower their risk of developing cognitive impairment became. Our finding suggests that physical activities may delay or prevent the onset of cognitive impairment in elderly people. It is necessary to expand research, continue to apply the cognitive screening test based on international standards, while guiding and encouraging elderly people to carry out physical activities according to their capabilities and international recommendations.

Acupuncture for mild cognitive impairment in elderly people: Systematic review and meta-analyses.

Background:Acupuncture has an unique role in preventing and managing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in nonpharmaceutical therapies because of its small wound, mild pain, and high security for many years. However, there is no systematic review evaluating safety and efficacy of acupuncture for MCI in elderly people. Therefore, this study will provide a protocol to explore the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for MCI in the elderly.Methods:Retrieval from 8 electronic databases was conducted to determine eligible trials published until May, 2019. Homogeneity qualified studies were included for data were extracted such as study country location, demographic characteristics, and measure outcomes, and were analyzed by a random effect model and sensitivity analyses to identify heterogeneity. Review Manager (Revman Version 5.3) software will be used for data synthesis, sensitivity analysis, meta regression, subgroup analysis, and risk of bias assessment. A funnel plot will be developed to evaluate reporting bias.Results:A total of 15 randomized control trials involving 1051 subjects were included. The results were as follows: Compared with the control group, the clinical efficacy rates of acupuncture was better, odds ratio = 2.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.86, 3.42), P < .00001, mini-mental state examination scores (mean difference [MD] = 1.53, 95% CI [1.04, 2.01], P < .00001), Montreal cognitive assessment scores (MD = 2.05, 95% CI [1.17, 1.92], P < .00001), activity of daily living scale (MD = 1.71, 95% CI [–1.38, 4.79], P > .05), and clock drawing task scores (MD = 1.91, 95% CI [1.74, 2.08], P < .00001).Conclusion:This study shows that acupuncture is beneficial for improving aspects of cognitive function in elderly people with MCI, which suggests that acupuncture may be an effective alternative and complementary approach to existing therapies for elderly people. More rigorous experimental studies and longer follow-up studies should be conducted in the future.

Interleukin-6 and Melatonin as Predictors of Cognitive, Emotional and Functional Ageing of Older People.

Background: The ageing process causes a number of changes in the human immune and endocrine systems. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between cognitive, emotional and functional skills as well lifestyle, versus selected biochemical indicators of the ageing process. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a group of 121 people aged 60–90 residing in the Lesser Poland voivodship. The study used standardized research tools including the Barthel scale, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) and inventory of health behaviors (IHB). In addition, the concentration of IL-6 and melatonin in the blood plasma was determined. Results: We determined the correlation between the level of IL-6 in a group of people over 75 years of age (requiring medical care), and results of the IADL scale. There was also a correlation between melatonin levels and the MMSE results in a group of people aged 60–75 who did not require constant medical care. Conclusions: IL-6 can be treated as a predictor of functional skills of people over 75 years of age, and melatonin can be perceived as a factor for recognizing cognitive impairment in elderly people who do not require constant medical assistance.

Alzheimer’s Patients’Assistance Models

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease which primarily effects the neurons in the human brain. The severity gradually increases over time, considered as the main cause for cognitive impairment in elderly people. Alzheimer's Disease has a long incubation period before clinical symptoms emerge, the available treatment can only delay the disease but not the progression. Hence the patients need assistance for their day to day activities. There are few neuropsychological tests like mini-mental state examination to determine the need and way of diagnosis and few systems have been proposed to help such patients. It is necessary to study the available systems for their efficiency, feasibility, speed and other factors necessary for comparison in order to understand the work done so far which will open ways for further research and improvisation of existing models and approaches. Therefore, in this paper we will review some of the devices, approaches and systems designed in order to help the Alzheimer's Patients’ with their daily activities.

The ability to understand emotions is associated with interoception-related insular activation and white matter integrity during aging.

Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a major cause of cognitive impairment in elderly people. While most research focuses on the role of the classical vascular risk factors in SVD, a description of the psychophysiological mechanisms leading to the age-related brain damage may open new possibilities for prophylaxis. In the current study, we evaluated the associations between emotional abilities, interoception, and age-related vascular white matter degeneration. The work was influenced, first, by multiple studies recognizing alexithymia as a cardiovascular risk factor; second, by theories of emotions linking body's allostasis and emotional regulation; and third, by neuroimaging data highlighting the shared role of the insular cortex in interoceptive and emotional processing. In a sample of older female adults (N=30), we performed the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, functional MRI using the heartbeat detection task, and evaluation of white matter microstructural integrity using diffusion weighted imaging. The ability to understand and analyze emotions-one of the four components of emotional intelligence-was found to be associated with higher interoception-related activation of the right anterior insula and preserved white matter microstructure. We interpret these results in light of the concept of Embodied Predictive Interoception Coding, which proposes that emotional processing, interoception, and allostasis (antecedent top-down regulation of the body's internal milieu) may rely on the shared neural mechanisms of predictive coding. The study demonstrates feasibility of the investigation of cerebrovascular diseases form a psychophysiological perspective and calls for future research.

Virtual reality as a tool for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cognitive impairment in the elderly: a systematic review

In recent decades, research into the effects of virtual reality on different neurological disorders has increased exponentially. Yet, the literature focused on the beneficial effects of virtual reality on cognitive impairment in elderly people is limited. To explore the application of virtual reality as a preventive, diagnostic or therapeutic tool for cognitive impairment in elderly people. A literature search was conducted in the Medline and Web of Science databases, including all the literature published from their inception up until December 2019. Of the 270 publications found, 15 met the inclusion criteria: two examined the effect of virtual reality as a tool for the prevention of cognitive impairment, six looked at its possible applications in diagnosis, and seven explored its effectiveness as a form of treatment. There is evidence of the potential effect of virtual reality as a preventive strategy against the development of cognitive impairment in elderly people. There is also evidence of its applicability as a diagnostic tool for detecting the development of mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and of its effectiveness as a treatment, since it improves the cognitive functioning of elderly people with cognitive impairment. Further studies are needed that are more methodologically robust and have long follow-up times in order to examine the real impact of virtual reality and to be able to generalise its application in different areas of the management of cognitive impairment.

Cognitive impairment in elderly people with prediabetes or diabetes: A cross-sectional study of the NHANES population

AimTo investigate the cognitive function in people without diabetes, with prediabetes and with diabetes. Methods/DesignThe study design used was a cross-sectional analysis of data in people above 60 years registered in NHANES from 2011 to 2014.Three assessments were used to characterize cognitive function: (a) CERAD Word Learning subtest assessing immediate and delayed learning ability, (b) The Animal Fluency test assesing categorical verbal fluency, and (c) The Digit Symbol Substitution test assessing processing speed, sustained attention, and working memory. Results(A) Memory recall (−0.19, [−0.34; −0.039], p = 0.014) and Delayed memory recall decline was associated with diabetes (−0.285, [−0.503; −0.067], p = 0.01), but not in an adjusted analysis. (B) Animal Fluency score decline was associated with diabetes (−1.185, [−1.688; −0.682], p < 0.001). (C) Digit Symbol score decline was associated with diabetes (−6.897, [−8.491; −5.302], p < 0.001). Prediabetes was not associated with cognitive function. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates an association between cognitive dysfunction and diabetes. Results may also indicate that cognitive decline is not yet present in people with mild impairments of glucose homeostasis.

Effects of brain activity, morning salivary cortisol, and emotion regulation on cognitive impairment in elderly people.

Objective:Cognitive impairment subjects exhibit high cortisol levels that are associated with low brain activity, but negative emotions with high cortisol are associated with high brain activity and reduced cognition. Emotion regulation, glucocorticoid hormones, and brain activity all interact with cognitive impairment. Therefore, we aimed to investigate cognitive impairment differences related to sex, morning salivary cortisol, emotion regulation, and brain activity in elderly people.Methods:A total of 64 participants (19 males and 45 females) were tested by the Montreal cognitive assessment. Next, morning saliva was collected from each participant and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the brain activity of the participants was subsequently recorded. Finally, emotion regulation was assessed via the Brunel mood scale questionnaire.Results:The results revealed that attention was significantly lower in elderly females than in elderly males. Depression and vigor were significantly higher in elderly females than in elderly males. Brain activity of the slow (delta and theta) and fast (beta and high beta) waves was significantly higher in elderly females than in elderly males. Moreover, attention was negatively correlated with the theta wave, whereas delayed recall was positively correlated with the theta wave and salivary cortisol. Depression was positively correlated with the high beta wave and language skill, whereas the high beta wave was negatively correlated with visuoconstructional skill.Conclusion:The brain activity, emotion, and cortisol were influenced by cognitive impairments, although the relation of brain activity with glucocorticoid hormones remains inconclusive. This finding may be useful to the brain aging process, promote healthy brain aging, and prevent neurodegenerative conditions.

Association of vitamin D and vitamin B12 with cognitive impairment in elderly aged 80 years or older: a cross‐sectional study

The present study aimed to assess the association of vitamin D and vitamin B12 with cognitive impairment in elderly people. The data were obtained from a cross-sectional study that included individuals aged 80years or older living in the urban and rural areas of the cities of Siderópolis and Treviso in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. In total, 165 elderly people were included in the analysis. The outcome of cognitive decline was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination. Vitamin D and vitamin B12 levels were measured from blood samples. The socio-demographic, anthropometric and health variables used in the analysis were collected from a questionnaire. Crude and adjusted analyses of the relationship between vitamins D and B12 and cognitive decline were performed using a Poisson regression model. The prevalence of cognitive decline was 35.2%. In the adjusted model, individuals who had vitamin D levels >19ngmL-1 showed a lower prevalence of cognitive decline (prevalence ratio=0.59; 95% confidence interval=0.39-0.87). Those participants who had vitamin B12 levels of ≥496pgmL-1 had a higher prevalence of cognitive decline (prevalence ratio=1.90; 95% confidence interval=1.08-3.36). The present study showed that individuals aged ≥80years who had vitamin D levels of ≤18ngmL-1 had a higher prevalence of cognitive decline even after adjustment for potential confounders. In addition, the study demonstrated that vitamin B12 levels of ≥496pgmL-1 in this population were also a risk factor for cognitive decline. A cross-sectional analysis does not enable the inference of a cause-effect relationship and additional studies are needed to understand these relationships.

The Interaction Effect between Blood Stasis Constitution and Atherosclerotic Factors on Cognitive Impairment in Elderly People.

Objective Blood stasis (BS) constitution represents a tendency to stagnation and positively associates with the severity of atherosclerosis. In this study, we have identified the interaction effect between BS constitution and atherosclerosis on cognitive impairment in the elderly people. Methods Eligible elderly people ≥65 years old who attended physical examination in the Mawei community of Fuzhou city during 2015 were enrolled in this study. We explored the characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution and atherosclerotic factors in the normal and cognitive impairment groups and their interaction effect between participants' Minimental State Examination (MMSE) scores in the elderly people. Results The prevalence of cognitive impairment in the elderly people was 13.0%. Red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), ankle brachial index (ABI), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV), and blood stasis (BS) were significantly different between normal and cognitive impairment group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that RBC (odds ratio (OR)=0.530 (0.343-0.817), P=0.004), HB (OR=0.980 (0.967-0.993), P=0.003), ABI (OR=2.199(1.112-4.347), P=0.023), and blood stasis constitution (OR=1.808 (1.022-3.202), P=0.042) were correlated with cognitive impairment. The interactions of blood stasis with HB, ABI, and BaPWV significantly impacted the MMSE score (P<0.05). Conclusion Elderly individuals with blood stasis may be at a higher risk of arterial stenosis and sclerosis, leading to susceptibility to cognitive impairment.

Neurochemical Aspects of Alzheimer's Disease and Movement Disturbances: A Theory of β-Amyloid and τ-Protein.

The pathologic and molecular substrate of people diagnosed with cognitive deficits and movement disturbance may not occur exclusively in the context of a brain region, but it may be expressed in another part of body such as muscle. A large body of research has demonstrated that slow motor performance is associated with cognitive impairment in elderly people. The interdependence between motor dysfunction and cognition decline is still not fully understood. Although several factors have been suggested to give a plausible explanation, β-amyloid (Aβ) and τ-protein aggregation is a common feature of a number of neurodegenerative disorders which are characterized by both motor and cognitive impairment, and it is assumed that the aggregation process plays a central role in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of the present review is to provide an overview of the available evidence that can help to better elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between cognitive and movement disturbances by focusing on Aβ and τ-protein.

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D increases cognitive impairment in elderly people.

It has been reported that many elderly people have low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and that serum 25(OH)D levels may have a relationship with cognitive function. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and cognitive function in a Japanese population. This cross-sectional study was performed as a part of the Project in Sado for Total Health (PROST). The PROST study evaluated cognitive state and serum vitamin D level from June 2011 to November 2013 for 740 patients (431 men and 309 women). The Mini-Mental State Examination-Japanese version (MMSE-J) and serum 25(OH)D level measurements were used as assessment tools. Cognitive impairment was defined using MMSE-J ≤ 23 as a cutoff. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for low MMSE-J scores. The average subject age was 68.1years, the average MMSE- J score was 25.9, and the average 25(OH)D level was 24.6ng/mL. Significant ORs for cognitive impairment were observed for both high age and low serum 25(OH)D. The adjusted OR for the lowest versus highest serum 25(OH)D quartiles was 2.70 (95% confidence interval 1.38-5.28, P = 0.0110). Low serum 25(OH)D levels were independently associated with a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment.