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01-09-2017 | Original Contribution

Evaluation of cognitive subdomains, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the European Male Ageing Study

Authors: Margot J. Overman, Neil Pendleton, Terence W. O’Neill, Gyorgy Bartfai, Felipe F. Casanueva, Joseph D. Finn, Gianni Forti, Giulia Rastrelli, Aleksander Giwercman, Thang S. Han, Ilpo T. Huhtaniemi, Krzysztof Kula, Michael E. J. Lean, Margus Punab, David M. Lee, Elon S. Correa, Tomas Ahern, Sabine M. P. Verschueren, Leen Antonio, Evelien Gielen, Martin K. Rutter, Dirk Vanderschueren, Frederick C. W. Wu, Jos Tournoy, The EMAS Study Group

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 6/2017

Abstract

Purpose

Although lower levels of vitamin D have been related to poor cognitive functioning and dementia in older adults, evidence from longitudinal investigations is inconsistent. The objective of this study was to determine whether 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)₂D] levels are associated with specified measures of cognitive decline in ageing men.

Methods

The European Male Ageing Study (EMAS) followed 3369 men aged 40–79 over 4.4 years. 25(OH)D levels at baseline were measured by radioimmunoassay, and 1,25(OH)₂D levels were obtained with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Visuoconstructional abilities, visual memory, and processing speed at baseline and follow-up were assessed using the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF), Camden Topographical Recognition Memory (CTRM), and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).

Results

Following attritions, a total of 2430 men with a mean (SD) age of 59.0 (10.6) were included in the analyses. At baseline, the mean 25(OH)D concentration was 64.6 (31.5) nmol/l, and mean 1,25(OH)₂D level was 59.6 (16.6) pmol/l. In age-adjusted linear regression models, high 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with a smaller decline in the DSST (β = 0.007, p = 0.020). Men with low 25(OH)D levels (<50 nmol/l) showed a greater decline in the CTRM compared to men with higher (≥75 nmol/l) levels (β = −0.41, p = 0.035). However, these associations disappeared after adjusting for confounders such as depressive symptoms, BMI, and comorbidities. There was no indication of a relationship between 1,25(OH)₂D and decline in cognitive subdomains.

Conclusion

We found no evidence for an independent association between 25(OH)D or 1,25(OH)₂D levels and visuoconstructional abilities, visual memory, or processing speed over on average 4.4 years in this sample of middle-aged and elderly European men.

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Title: Evaluation of cognitive subdomains, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the European Male Ageing Study
Authors: Margot J. Overman
Neil Pendleton
Terence W. O’Neill
Gyorgy Bartfai
Felipe F. Casanueva
Joseph D. Finn
Gianni Forti
Giulia Rastrelli
Aleksander Giwercman
Thang S. Han
Ilpo T. Huhtaniemi
Krzysztof Kula
Michael E. J. Lean
Margus Punab
David M. Lee
Elon S. Correa
Tomas Ahern
Sabine M. P. Verschueren
Leen Antonio
Evelien Gielen
Martin K. Rutter
Dirk Vanderschueren
Frederick C. W. Wu
Jos Tournoy
The EMAS Study Group
Publication date: 01-09-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 6/2017
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-016-1247-4

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Evaluation of cognitive subdomains, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the European Male Ageing Study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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