Plasma metabolites associated with cognitive function across race/ethnicities affirming the importance of healthy nutrition

Einat Granot-Hershkovitz, Shan He, Jan Bressler, Bing Yu, Wassim Tarraf, Casey M. Rebholz, Jianwen Cai, Queenie Chan, Tanya P. Garcia, Thomas Mosley, Bruce S. Kristal, Charles DeCarli, Myriam Fornage, Guo Chong Chen, Qibin Qi, Robert Kaplan, Hector M. González, Tamar Sofer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: We studied the replication and generalization of previously identified metabolites potentially associated with global cognitive function in multiple race/ethnicities and assessed the contribution of diet to these associations. Methods: We tested metabolite-cognitive function associations in U.S.A. Hispanic/Latino adults (n = 2222) from the Community Health Study/ Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) and in European (n = 1365) and African (n = 478) Americans from the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) Study. We applied Mendelian Randomization (MR) analyses to assess causal associations between the metabolites and cognitive function and between Mediterranean diet and cognitive function. Results: Six metabolites were consistently associated with lower global cognitive function across all studies. Of these, four were sugar-related (e.g., ribitol). MR analyses provided weak evidence for a potential causal effect of ribitol on cognitive function and bi-directional effects of cognitive performance on diet. Discussion: Several diet-related metabolites were associated with global cognitive function across studies with different race/ethnicities. Highlights: Metabolites associated with cognitive function in Puerto Rican adults were recently identified. We demonstrate the generalizability of these associations across diverse race/ethnicities. Most identified metabolites are related to sugars. Mendelian Randomization (MR) provides weak evidence for a causal effect of ribitol on cognitive function. Beta-cryptoxanthin and other metabolites highlight the importance of a healthy diet.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1331-1342
Number of pages12
JournalAlzheimer's and Dementia
Volume19
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2023

Keywords

  • Global cognitive function
  • Mediterranean diet
  • Metabolites
  • Puerto Rican
  • Race/ethnicities
  • U.S. Hispanics/Latinos

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Health Policy
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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