Higher percent of energy intake as carbohydrates has a negative relationship with cognitive performance in APOE4 carriers: Prevention (nonpharmacological) / Nutrition. (7th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sullivan, Debra K; Taylor, Matthew K; Burns, Jeffrey M
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 16(2020)Supplement 10
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-12-07
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.046360
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Expression of the APOE4 allele is a known genetic risk factor of Alzheimer's Disease. There is speculation that dietary carbohydrate intake may also influence AD risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cross‐sectional relationship between dietary carbohydrate intake and cognitive performance stratified by APOE status in a population of cognitively normal, older adults. Method: Baseline data from 62 cognitively normal older adults participating in a nutrition intervention study (Nutrition Interventions for Cognitive Enhancement study; NICE study) were analyzed. Dietary intake was obtained by 3‐day diet records and entered into the Nutrition Data System for Research. Fasting blood draws were attained and APOE status was determined by Quest Diagnostics®. A cognitive battery was conducted by a trained psychometrician. Individual test z‐scores were calculated to form domains of memory (Logical Memory Tests I and II and the Free and Cued Selective Recall Test), attention (Digit Span Forward and Backward and Stroop Number Letter), visuospatial processing (Stroop Color, Block Design, Trailmaking A, and Digit Symbol Substitution Test), and executive function (Trailmaking B and Category Fluency Animals/Vegetables). We constructed ordinary least squares regression models to assess the relation between proportion of carbohydrate as energy and cognition controlled for age and gender in an APOE‐dependent manner. Statistical analyses were performed using R (v. 3.6.2; R Foundation, Vienna, Austria). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Result: Participants were 85% female and had a mean age of 72.1±4.9 years. APOE status was 32% APOE4 carriers (n=20) and 68% non‐carriers. There was no difference in age, sex or dietary macronutrient intake between carriers and non‐carriers. Within APOE4 carriers, higher percent of energy as carbohydrate was related to poorer memory (β̞=‐0.64, p=0.002) and executive function (β̞=‐0.51, p=0.02). Within the non‐carriers, there was no relationship between percent carbohydrate and cognitive performance. Conclusion: APOE4 carriers with higher percent dietary carbohydrate intake had worse performance on cognitive functions tests. These results support the concept that dietary carbohydrate may be an important modifiable risk factor for AD. These findings will be further investigated utilizing the final sample size of the NICE Study (n=200).