Nutritional Status is Associated with Faster Cognitive Decline and Worse Functional Impairment in the Progression of Dementia: The Cache County Dementia Progression Study1

Abstract

Nutritional status may be a modifiable factor in the progression of dementia. We examined the association of nutritional status and rate of cognitive and functional decline in a U.S. population-based sample. Study design was an observational longitudinal study with annual follow-ups up to 6 years of 292 persons with dementia (72% Alzheimer’s disease, 56% female) in Cache County, UT using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-sb), and modified Mini Nutritional Assessment (mMNA). mMNA scores declined by approximately 0.50 points/year, suggesting increasing risk for malnutrition. Lower mMNA score predicted faster rate of decline on the MMSE at earlier follow-up times, but slower decline at later follow-up times, whereas higher mMNA scores had the opposite pattern (mMNA by time β = 0.22, p = 0.017; mMNA by time2 β = −0.04, p = 0.04). Lower mMNA score was associated with greater impairment on the CDR-sb over the course of dementia (β = 0.35, p < 0.001). Assessment of malnutrition may be useful in predicting rates of progression in dementia and may provide a target for clinical intervention.

Associations of cognitive condition with nutritional status in an elderly population: an analysis based on a 7-year database in Chongqing, the Southwest of China

“…Secondly, the elderly with cognitive impairment were more likely to be malnutrition while the majority of the elderly with malnutrition had cognitive impairment. In line with the previous study that malnutrition was a significant risk factor for cognitive decline and directly associated with AD pathology [7,29]. The elderly who had cognitive impairment were more likely to suffer from malnutrition [11,12].…”

“…Based on this consideration, recent developments in AD have heightened the need for early detection and finding out protective factors. Among them, malnutrition was recognized as a risk factor of dementia and AD [6,7]. Recent evidence suggests that malnutrition is associated with rapid cognitive decline, disease progression and the degree of impairment in daily functioning in patients with dementia [8][9][10].…”

Avaliação Nutricional E Risco De Desnutrição Em Idosos Com Demências

“…Foram avaliadas 292 pessoas com demência (72% de doença de Alzheimer, 56% do sexo feminino) por seis anos utilizando o Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), e o Mini NutritionalAssessment (MNA). O menor escore de MNA previu uma taxa de declínio mais rápida no MEEM (p = 0,017) 8 .…”

The confused oncologic patient: a rational clinical approach

“…34–37 The tumor, and its humoral response produce inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) which are associated with delirium and cognitive dysfunction by affecting serotonin and hypothalamic pathways. 38–40 …”