Association of Antioxidant Vitamins A, C, E and Carotenoids with Cognitive Performance over Time: A Cohort Study of Middle-Aged Adults

Abstract

Carotenoids may strengthen the association of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E with favorable cognitive outcomes over time, though a few prospective studies have examined this hypothesis. We evaluated the longitudinal data from 1251 participants in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study (Age at visit 1 in 2004–2009 (v1): 30–65 years). Vitamins A, C, and E dietary intakes and total and individual dietary carotenoids were computed using two 24-h recalls at v1. Cognitive tests, covering global mental status and domains of memory/learning, attention, psychomotor speed, visuo-spatial, language/verbal, and executive function were conducted at v1 and/or v2 (2009–2013); mean ± SD follow-up: 4.66 ± 0.93 years. Mixed-effects linear regression models detected an interaction between vitamin E and total (and individual) carotenoids for three of 11 cognitive tests at v1, with only one meeting the statistical significance upon multiple testing correction whereby vitamin E was linked with greater verbal memory performance in the uppermost total carotenoid tertile (γ0a = +0.26 ± 0.08, p = 0.002), a synergism largely driven by carotenoid lycopene. Vitamins A and C showed no consistent interactions with carotenoids. In conclusion, we provide partial evidence for synergism between vitamin E and carotenoids in relation to better baseline cognitive performance, pending further studies with time-dependent exposures and randomized trials directly examining this synergism.

Association of Serum Antioxidant Vitamins and Carotenoids With Incident Alzheimer Disease and All-Cause Dementia Among US Adults

“…However, only one recent study has examined interactions between those bioactive micronutrients and cognitive performance or decline in midlife. 43 The findings indicated that among others, there was a synergistic interaction between vitamin E and total carotenoids, particularly lycopene, whereby vitamin E was directly associated with baseline performance on a test of verbal memory at higher carotenoid levels, with antagonistic interactions detected between vitamin A and some carotenoids in relation to visual memory decline. 43 Our current study did not detect any synergistic interactions or a potential protective effect of vitamin E against incidence of all-cause or AD dementia.…”

“…43 The findings indicated that among others, there was a synergistic interaction between vitamin E and total carotenoids, particularly lycopene, whereby vitamin E was directly associated with baseline performance on a test of verbal memory at higher carotenoid levels, with antagonistic interactions detected between vitamin A and some carotenoids in relation to visual memory decline. 43 Our current study did not detect any synergistic interactions or a potential protective effect of vitamin E against incidence of all-cause or AD dementia. In contrast, vitamin E and lycopene exhibited an antagonistic interaction in our study in relation to AD incidence, suggesting that interactions between carotenoids and antioxidant vitamins are patterned differently across time.…”

Histopathological and Biochemical Assessment of Neuroprotective Effects of Sodium Valproate and Lutein on the Pilocarpine Albino Rat Model of Epilepsy

“…Wang et al [ 23 ] documented that 200 mg/kg of Crocin could be used to terminate epileptic seizures in fully kindled rats. The rate of loss of higher cerebral function in individuals with Alzheimer's dementia has been retarded using several dietary supplements, e.g., L and beta-carotene [ 24 ]. This clinical observation is consistent with the findings relating to the use of these agents in epilepsy.…”

Synergistic Action of Membrane-Bound and Water-Soluble Antioxidants in Neuroprotection

“…Positive outcomes were also demonstrated in patients with Alzheimer′s disease who consumed a combination of xanthophyll carotenoids and omega-3 PUFAs (fish oil [ 59 ]). There is also evidence for synergistic action between vitamin E and carotenoids in supporting cognitive performance in middle-aged adults [ 60 ]. Supplementation with a combination of omega-3 PUFAs and vitamins C and E also prevented postoperative atrial fibrillation (as a condition that depends on neuronal activity), while omega-3 PUFA alone did not [ 61 , 62 ].…”