Metabolic Syndrome and Cognition: Follow-Up Study of Chinese Over-55-Year-Olds

Abstract

Background/Aim: Studies of the associations of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) with cognitive function and decline are inconclusive. We investigated the associations of the MetS with cognitive functions in 823 Chinese > 55-year-olds followed up over 4.5 years. Methods: The relationships between the MetS and baseline and follow-up z-scores of cognitive domain functions were examined using mixed model analysis. Results: There were specific inverse cross-sectional associations of single cardiometabolic risk factors with cognition, such as hyperglycemia with processing speed (p = 0.045). The MetS was negatively associated with 3 out of 4 cognitive domains (p = 0.018 to p = 0.003), and the count of cardiometabolic risk factors with all cognitive domains (p = 0.025 to p = 0.002). Longitudinally, dyslipidemia was associated with worse decline in memory and learning (p = 0.022). The count of cardiometabolic risk factors was associated with worse declines in cognition (p = 0.032 for global cognition). Conclusion: Among middle-aged and older Asians, an increased number of component cardiometabolic risk factors of the MetS was associated with a worse decline in cognitive function over time.

RETRACTED: The Association Between Diet and Cardio-Metabolic Risk on Cognitive Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study of Middle-Aged Australian Adults

“…For example, hypertension, arterial stiffness, and coronary heart disease have all been found to increase the risk of developing dementia and cognitive decline ( 13 – 15 ). In addition to these cardiovascular health factors, metabolic syndrome (MetS) has also been linked to cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia ( 16 ), however, this evidence is inconsistent, suggesting that more research is needed ( 17 , 18 ). Recent research suggests that these health factors are particularly important in middle age for later-life cognitive performance ( 15 , 19 – 22 ) and that midlife is a “critical period” to target the modifiable risk factors of cognitive decline and dementia ( 15 , 23 ).…”

Relationship Between Metabolic Syndrome and Cognitive Function: A Population-Based Study of Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults in Rural China

“…15 Another follow-up study also reported that high TG was associated with deterioration in memory and learning ability. 13 In this study, MetS and its components had different effects on cognitive function in different age groups. A previous study reported that the prognostic role of the overall MetS score in the elderly was not greater than the sum of its components.…”

“…However, the impact of MetS on cognition is currently controversial. Some studies have indicated that MetS was an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment, [12][13][14] while other studies reported that there were no significant relationships between MetS and global cognitive function, especially in low-income people. 15,16 Therefore, this study's purpose was to explore the associations between MetS and its components with cognition among low-income adults in Northern China.…”

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“…Although most of the energy needed by the brain is provided by glucose, high blood glucose concentration will bring adverse effects or even serious harm to the brain. Long-term hyperglycemia decreases the sensitivity of various brain regions to insulin receptors, resulting in insulin resistance [3]. Central insulin resistance promotes the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) through various signal transduction pathways, which are the main pathological features of Alzheimer's disease(AD).…”