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Midlife metabolic syndrome and neurocognitive function in a mixed Asian sample

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2014

Simon L. Collinson ,
Sandy J. F. Tong ,
Sarah S. K. Loh ,
S. B. Chionh  and
Reshma A. Merchant
Simon L. Collinson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Sandy J. F. Tong
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
Sarah S. K. Loh
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
S. B. Chionh
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
Reshma A. Merchant
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Simon L. Collinson, Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Block AS4, #02-07, 9 Arts Link, Singapore 117570, Singapore. Phone: +65-65168117. Email: psycsl@nus.edu.sg.
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Abstract

Background:

An association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and disturbances in neurocognitive function has been identified in Caucasians but the nature and extent of impaired cognition in Asian MetS patients, who may be at greater risk of degenerative cognitive decline, remains unspecified.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the National University Hospital of Singapore. Participants were recruited from a diabetes clinic at the National University Hospital. Fifty-three patients who met MetS criteria and 44 clinical controls were recruited. All participants were 55 years and above and community ambulant. Neurocognitive function was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). CANTAB performances between MetS and control groups were examined with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the relative contributions of vascular risk, and intrademographic factors on CANTAB scores were dilineated with stepwise regression analyses.

Results:

Participants with MetS consistently performed significantly worse than controls across all CANTAB subtests. Education and Chinese race were found to be potential protective factors.

Conclusions:

Executive and memory impairment is present in Asian patients with midlife MetS who may be particularly vulnerable to the detrimental impact of MetS in midlife.

Keywords

metabolic syndromeneuropsychologicalCANTAB
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 26 , Issue 8 , August 2014 , pp. 1305 - 1316
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2014 

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