Relationship Between Mean Corpuscular Volume and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To examine the relationship between erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and cognitive performance over time. DESIGN Longitudinal. SETTING Sample from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) PARTICIPANTS The sample consisted of 827 participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA; M age = 67; range = 50 – 96). MEASUREMENTS MCV and several other blood indices were measured including hemoglobin, iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, white blood cell count, albumin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Cognitive performance was examined using neuropsychological measures of visual memory, verbal memory, language, attention, executive function and global mental status. RESULTS High MCV levels were significantly associated with lower global mental status even after adjusting for potential confounders. High MCV levels were also significantly associated with accelerated rates of decline on tasks of global mental status, long delay memory, and attention even after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSION Our findings confirm a previous observation that larger erythrocytes in older adults are associated with poorer cognitive function. The relationship between MCV and cognition does not appear to be explained by anemia and inflammation. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms behind this association.

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