Polyunsaturated fatty acids and reduced odds of MCI: The mayo clinic study of aging

Rosebud O. Roberts, James R. Cerhan, Yonas E. Geda, David S. Knopman, Ruth H. Cha, Teresa J.H. Christianson, V. Shane Pankratz, Robert J. Ivnik, Helen M. O'Connor, Ronald C. Petersen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, PUFA) have been associated with a reduced risk of dementia. The association of these fatty acids with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not fully established. The objective of the study was to investigate the cross-sectional association of dietary fatty acids with MCI in a population-based sample. Participants aged ≥ 70 years on October 1, 2004, were evaluated using the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (participant and informant), a neurological evaluation, and neuropsychological testing. A panel of nurses, physicians, and neuropsychologists reviewed the data for each participant in order to establish a diagnosis of MCI, normal cognition, or dementia by consensus. Participants also completed a 128-item food-frequency questionnaire. Among 1,233 non-demented subjects, 163 (13.2%) had MCI. The odds ratio (OR) of MCI decreased with increasing PUFA and MUFA intake. Compared to the lowest tertile, the OR (95% confidence interval) for the upper tertiles were 0.44 (0.29-0.66; p for trend = 0.0004) for total PUFA; 0.44 (0.30-0.67; p for trend = 0.0004) for omega-6 fatty acids; 0.62 (0.42-0.91; p for trend = 0.012) for omega-3 fatty acids; and 0.56 (0.38-0.83; p for trend = 0.01) for (MUFA+PUFA):saturated fatty acid ratio after adjustment for age, sex, number of years of education, and caloric intake. In this study, higher intake of PUFA and MUFA was associated with a reduced likelihood of MCI among elderly persons in the population-based setting.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)853-865
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume21
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

Keywords

  • Cross-sectional studies
  • dietary fats
  • mild cognitive impairment
  • monounsaturated fatty acids
  • polyunsaturated fatty acids
  • population-based

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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