| Background: Carotenoids (lutein, lycopene,(beta-cryptoxanthin, and alpha-carotene) are a class of antioxidant nutrients found in colorful fruits and vegetables that are of interest in the protection of the brain with aging.;Objective: To examine the associations of dietary intakes of carotenoids with age-related cognitive decline.;Design: Prospective study in a geographically- defined biracial community in Chicago, IL.;Participants: A total of 3347 Black and White residents, aged 65 years and older who completed a food frequency questionnaire and 2 to 3 neuropsychological assessments over 6 years of follow-up.;Main Outcome Measure: Change in a global cognitive function score measured using the average z-scores of 4 tests: the East Boston tests of immediate and delayed recall, the Mini Mental State Examination, and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test.;Result: Random effects mixed model was used to estimate the mean differences in rates of cognitive decline across intake quintile of lutein, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin and alpha-carotene; statistical tests were 2-sided. No associations were evident for lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin and alpha-carotene intake and cognitive decline after adjusting for age, race, sex, education, participation in cognitive activities, time and time interactions with each variable. However, dietary intake of lutein was positivelyassociated with slower cognitive decline. Persons in the 4th and 5 th quintiles of lutein intake had significantly slower rates of decline compared with those in the lowest intake quintile (Q4: beta=0.016, p=0.03; Q5: (beta=0.017, p=0.03) in the adjusted model.;Conclusions: High dietary intake of lutein may be associated with slower rate of cognitive decline in older persons. |
