Brain levels of lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) are related to cognitive function in centenarians

Background Among the carotenoids, L and Z are preferentially taken up into human brain. Intervention with L improved cognition in older adults. Purpose To evaluate the relationship between cognition and L and Z levels in brain tissue of decedents >98 yrs at death. Methods Subjects (n=49) were from the Georgia Centenarian Study and agreed to brain donation after death. Brain tissues (cerebellum, frontal, occipital, temporal cortices) were analyzed with standard lipid extractions and reverse phase HPLC. Partial correlations adjusting for age, education, sex, and self-reported diabetes or hypertension were performed. Ante-mortem cognitive measures included the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Fuld Object Memory Evaluation, WAIS-III Similarities, CERAD verbal fluency, naming, and constructional praxis subtests, and the Geriatric Deterioration Rating Scale (GDRS). Results Z levels in brain tissue were significantly related to ante-mortem measures of global cognitive function (MMSE, r=0.30 p<0.01), memory (FOME recall r=0.35, p<0.01; retention r=0.25, p<0.05), verbal fluency (r=0.35, p<0.01), and dementia severity (GDRS, r= −0.35, p<0.01). In univariate analyses, L was related to recall and verbal fluency, but the associations were attenuated with adjustment for covariates. Conclusions L and Z may be important in cognition in centenarians. Support:USDA#581950-7-07; DSM, NIH 1P01-AG17553 (L.