Is There an Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and Cognitive Function in Very Old Adults? The Newcastle 85+ Study

Abstract

The association between MetS and cognitive decline, which has been described in younger populations (<75), was not apparent in this population of individuals aged 85 and older at baseline.

The Metabolic Syndrome Predicts Longitudinal Changes in Clock Drawing Test Performance in Older Nondemented Hypertensive Individuals

“…The relationship of MetS to cognitive function has been explored in both cross-sectional (4,5) and longitudinal (6)(7)(8) studies, by assessing global (4) or domain-specific (4,5) cognitive impairment, or cognitive decline (7) and progression to dementia (6,8) over time.…”

“…Longitudinal population-based investigations have reported a significant prospective association of MetS to incident dementia (6), whereas others have not (7,8).…”

“…Age may importantly influence such relationship, as authors have indicated that the effect of MetS on cognitive function becomes weaker with advancing age (7). Such observation may have different explanations.…”

“…MetS has been associated with greater occurrence and severity of WMHs (3). There are inconsistent results about whether MetS as an entity influences cognitive function and dementia risk (4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

What can the life course approach contribute to an understanding of longevity risk?

“…Since its inception, the Newcastle 85+ study used by Blane and colleagues to illustrate the golden generation, has provided valuable information about their physical, metabolic, immune and cognitive function phenotypes (Collerton et al, 2007;Harrison et al, 2015;Motta et al, 2005;Terry, Sebastiani, Andersen & Perls, 2008;Vacante et al, 2012;Willcox et al, 2008). Yet by their design, this and numerous other studies conducted worldwide among the oldest old are limited in their contribution to the understanding of the life course trajectories that explain the longevity of their participants.…”