Cognitive findings of an exploratory trial of docosahexaenoic acid and lutein supplementation in older women

Johnson, Elizabeth J.; McDonald, Karen; Caldarella, Susan M.; Chung, Haseung; Troen, Aron M.; Snodderly, D. Max

doi:10.1179/147683008x301450

Cited by 242 publications

(212 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Furthermore, the concentration of Z in blood serum is inversely associated with the severity of white matter lesions in the brains of nondemented older adults (den Heijer et al, 2001). In a postmortem series, higher concentrations of L and Z in the brain were associated with better cognitive function at the time of death (Johnson et al, 2011). It has also been shown that the concentration of carotenoids comprising MP in the retina is highly correlated with carotenoid levels in the cerebellum and occipital cortex of macaque monkeys (Vishwanathan et al, 2013).…”

mentioning

confidence: 81%

Low macular pigment optical density is associated with lower cognitive performance in a large, population-based sample of older adults

Feeney

Finucane

Savva

et al. 2013

Neurobiology of Aging

123

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Macular pigment (MP) is comprised of the carotenoids lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z), and meso--zeaxanthin (MZ), which selectively accumulate at the macula (central retina) of the eye and are neuroprotective. These carotenoids are also present in the brain, and evidence suggests a close correlation between retinal and brain concentrations. We investigated the relationship between MP and cognitive function in 4453 adults aged ≥50 years as part of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was determined using customized heterochromatic flicker photometry-a quick and noninvasive way of measuring the concentration of the pigment. Lower MPOD was associated with poorer performance on the mini--mental state examination (p = 0.026) and on the Montreal cognitive assessment (p = 0.016). Individuals with lower MPOD also had poorer prospective memory (p = 0.011), took longer time to complete a trail--making task (p = 0.003), and had slower and more variable reaction times on a choice reaction time task (p = 0.000 and 0.001). These associations were only slightly attenuated following adjustment for physical and mental health. There was no significant association between MPOD and verbal fluency, word recall, visual reasoning, or picture memory. Overall, the findings support the theory that xanthophyll carotenoids impact on cognitive function, underscoring the need for exploration of novel, noninvasive biomarkers for cognitive vulnerability and preventive strategies.

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mentioning

confidence: 81%

Low macular pigment optical density is associated with lower cognitive performance in a large, population-based sample of older adults

Feeney

Finucane

Savva

et al. 2013

Neurobiology of Aging

123

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“…Johnson et al performed a small clinical trial in 60-80 year-old women that were randomized to receive DHA (800 mg/day), lutein (12 mg/day), or a combination of DHA and lutein. Each treatment alone or in combination improved performance in a Verbal fluency test and only the combination of lutein and DHA improved performance in other tests such as Word list, Shopping list and MIR apartment tests sugesting a potential synergistic effect of both nutrients (Johnson et al, 2008).…”

Section: Lutein and Zeaxanthin: The Function In The Brainmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why lutein is important for the eye and the brain

Ramírez

2015

OCL

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-Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that accumulate in the macula. The macula is a yellow spot near the center of the retina that is responsible of high resolution vision. Macular pigment acts as a natural blue light filter and protects the eye from damage. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) increases with lutein administration and is related to visual function and to the prevention of age-related macular degeneration. MOPD can be measured noninvasively and has been related to better cognitive performance. Moreover, compositional analyses of centenarian brains have shown that lutein is the main carotenoid in the brain although not in plasma, indicating a preferential accumulation in neural tissues, and that carotenoids status is correlated with some functional outcomes. Carotenoids are present in human milk with higher concentration in colostrum than in transitional and mature milk. Formula fed-infants have less plasma lutein concentration than breast fed infants. Analyses of brain from infants who died during the first year of life showed that lutein is also the predominant carotenoid of brain. Studies in non-human primates revealed that carotenoids are determinant in the formation of the retinal epithelia. In vitro studies showed that lutein stimulates the differentiation of human stem cells to neural progenitor cells. All this findings together, mostly the presence of lutein in breast milk, plasma concentration in breast-fed infants vs. formula fed infants, preferential accumulation in the brain and evidences of influence on the retina and the functionality of the brain signal the importance of the role of lutein and zeaxanthin on visual maturation and brain development.Keywords: Lutein / zeaxanthin / brain / infant / nutrition Résumé -Importance de la lutéine pour l'oeil et le cerveau. La lutéine et la zéaxanthine sont des caroténoïdes qui s'accumulent dans la macula. La macula est une tache jaune, située près du centre de la rétine, qui est responsable de la vision fine. Le pigment maculaire agit comme un filtre naturel de la lumière bleue nocive et protège l'oeil contre d'éventuels dommages. La densité optique du pigment maculaire (ou MPOD, acronyme de Macular pigment optical density) augmente avec l'administration de lutéine et est liée à la qualité de la fonction visuelle et à la prévention de la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge. La MOPD peut être mesurée de manière non invasive et a été associée à de meilleures performances cognitives. En outre, les analyses de composition de cerveaux de centenaires ont montré que la lutéine est le caroténoïde principal du cerveau mais pas du plasma, ce qui indique une accumulation préférentielle dans les tissus neuronaux et que le statut en caroténoïdes est corrélé avec quelques données fonctionnelles. Les caroténoïdes sont présents dans le lait maternel avec une concentration plus élevée dans le colostrum que dans lait de transition ou mature. Les enfants nourris avec des formules infantiles (végétales) présentent des diminutions de concentrations...

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“…A reliable and commonly used proxy for macular pigment levels and hence lutein and zeaxanthin levels is macular pigment optical density (MPOD). MPOD correlates with processing speed and cognitive performance in healthy elderly subjects as well as those with mild cognitive impairment [25][26][27].…”

Section: Neural Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging Bioactives to Support Human Health through the Lifecycle: Scientific Evidence and Regulatory Considerations

Rai¹,

Rai²

2017

Functional Food - Improve Health Through Adequate Food

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The identiication of bioactive food components and understanding their role as adjunct therapeutic agents in disease management and prevention has become a signiicant area of research. Accumulating evidence suggests a link between certain bioactive food components and health outcomes, for example, lutein and zeaxanthin for visual performance and delaying age-related macular degeneration, probiotics for gastrointestinal outcomes related to irritable bowel syndrome or prebiotics for its potential programming of the microbiome in early life to inluence later life outcomes.. This rapidly developing science has triggered discussions to determine if public health recommendations can be made on bioactive foods. However, regulatory guidance is necessary to guide the development the science, it's consideration for public health policy and the communication thereof to both healthcare professionals and consumers. This chapter will focus on the clinical and basic science supporting a role for lutein and pre-and probiotics in modulating several aspects of human health, including the gut microbiome through the human lifecycle. Opportunities to translate the science to consumers in a meaningful and accurate way will also be highlighted along with the regulatory landscape to shape the testing, communication and commercialization of these bioactives.

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Cognitive findings of an exploratory trial of docosahexaenoic acid and lutein supplementation in older women

Abstract: These exploratory findings suggest that DHA and lutein supplementation may have cognitive benefit for older adults.

Cited by 242 publications

References 36 publications

Low macular pigment optical density is associated with lower cognitive performance in a large, population-based sample of older adults

Low macular pigment optical density is associated with lower cognitive performance in a large, population-based sample of older adults

Why lutein is important for the eye and the brain

Leveraging Bioactives to Support Human Health through the Lifecycle: Scientific Evidence and Regulatory Considerations

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