The Effect of Triglycerides on Cognitive Function in Aging Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study (S58.004)

Objective: Vascular risk factors like hyperlipidemia may adversely affect brain function. We hypothesized that increased serum triglycerides are associated with decreased executive function and memory in non-demented elderly subjects . We also researched possible cerebrovascular mediators for this relationship with Diffusion Tensor Imaging to represent white matter integrity. Design/Methods: Participants were 251 non-demented elderly adults (54% male) with a mean age of 78 (SD=6.4; Range: 62-94) years and a mean education of 15.6 (SD=2.9; Range: 8-23) years. Fasting blood samples were used to detect serum triglyceride and LDL levels as well as ApoE4 status. DTI was used to determine whole brain FA. Composite executive (EXEC) and memory (MEM) scores were derived from item response theory. Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores were assigned based on self-reported changes in cognition. Results: Triglycerides are significantly correlated with lower executive function, but not with memory. Controlling for demographic factors like age, gender, and education did not affect this correlation. This relationship persisted when vascular risk factors like LDL, ApoE4 status and additional measures of severity and genetic risk like CDR scores were controlled for. Lastly, adding whole brain fractional anisotropy to the model did not affect the correlation between triglycerides and executive function. Conclusions: Triglycerides are significantly correlated with worse executive function in non-demented elderly adults after controlling for age, education, gender, LDL, ApoE4 status, and CDR. This correlation cannot be attributed to cerebrovascular injury as measured by DTI. Lastly, this relationship is specific to executive function and is not related to memory. Disclosure: Dr. Parthasarathy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Frazier has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jastrzab has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chao has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chui has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the Archives of Neurology. Dr. Bettcher has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kramer has nothing to disclose.