Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with cognitive executive function in Dutch prefrail and frail elderly: a cross-sectional study exploring the associations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D with glucose metabolism, cognitive performance and depression.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The primary objective was to explore the possible association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and vitamin D intake with markers of glucose metabolism, depression, and cognitive performance. In addition, we examined to what extent the associations between vitamin D and cognitive performance were modified or mediated by fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:

Cross-sectional study using data of 127 frail or prefrail Dutch elderly, aged 65 years or older. Frailty was defined according to the criteria of Fried and colleagues. A participant was classified prefrail when 1 to 2 criteria were met; frailty was classified as the presence of 3 or more criteria.

MEASUREMENTS:

Associations of 25(OH)D and vitamin D intake with markers of glucose metabolism and domain-specific cognitive performance were examined by multivariable regression analyses. The possible association of vitamin D with depression and global cognitive performance was explored by Poisson regression.

RESULTS:

No associations were observed for 25(OH)D with FPG, fasting plasma insulin (FPI), Homeostasis Model Assessment-estimated Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), or depression. In contrast, serum 25(OH)D was positively associated with executive functioning (β 0.007, P = .01) and tended to be associated with information-processing speed (β 0.006, P = .06). FPG did not modify or mediate these associations. Vitamin D intake was not associated with cognitive performance, glucose metabolism, or depression.

CONCLUSION:

This cross-sectional study suggests an association of serum 25(OH)D with domain-specific cognitive performance, in particular executive functioning and possibly information-processing speed, but not with FPG, FPI, HOMA-IR, or depression. Whether these associations are causal is yet to be demonstrated.

• Authors: Elske M Brouwer-Brolsma, Ondine van de Rest, Michael Tieland, Nikita L van der Zwaluw, Wilma T Steegenga, Jos J Adam, Luc J C van Loon, Edith J M Feskens, Lisette C P G M de Groot
• Journal: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (J Am Med Dir Assoc) Vol. 14 Issue 11 Pg. 852.e9-17 (Nov 2013) ISSN: 1538-9375 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23921196 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 American Medical Directors Association, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Vitamin D
• 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anthropometry
• Blood Glucose (metabolism)
• Cognition Disorders (blood)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Depression (blood)
• Diet
• Executive Function
• Female
• Frail Elderly
• Humans
• Male
• Netherlands
• Sunlight
• Vitamin D (analogs & derivatives, blood)