Nutritional intake and neurocognitive functions

We studied the relationships between nutritional intake and neuropsychological functions as measured by the Wais test in a group of healthy elderly persons. Ninety one subjects (21 males and 70 females with a mean age of 73 years) have been selected in the Toulouse Aging Process Study. Our subjects were separated into two groups according to their Wais test results. Group 1 included the subjects with high score, group 2 comprised the subjects with lower score although not in the pathological range. For 3 days, the subjects noted all food and beverages consumed on a daily record. Women with high Wais score had higher daily intakes of vitamin C (130±61mg), vitamin B6 (1.47±041mg), thiamin (1.12 ±0.33mg), zinc (8.4±2.07mg), and fibers (18±4g) than women with lower Wais score (respectively 98±47mg, 1.20±0.36mg, 0.86±0.27mg, 6.92±2.42mg, 15±4g). Men with high Wais score had higher daily intakes of vitamin C (97±43mg), vitamin B6 (1.69±0.4mg), thiamin (1.05±0.21±mg), zinc (9.61±2.51mg), and fibers (18±5g) than men with lower Wais score (respectively 80±29mg, 1.25±0.34mg, 1+0.25mg, 8.12 +1.72mg, 15±5g). This study found relationships between intakes of vit C, B6, thiamin, fibers and zinc and cognitive functions in elderly person. Mild insufficiency of micronutrient intakes might lead to cognitive alterations. (Age & Nutrition, volume 6, n° 2, 1995)