Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
Published on: November 6, 2017
Vitamin E levels, cognitive impairment and dementia in older persons: the InCHIANTI study
Antonio Cherubini1, Antonio Martin, Cristina Andres-Lacueva
1Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, University of Perugia Medical School, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, via Brunamonti, Policlinico Monteluce, Padiglione E, Perugia 06122, Italy. acherub@unipg.it
Abstract:
There is conflicting evidence that antioxidants contribute to maintaining cognitive function in elderly subjects. We investigated whether vitamin E plasma levels are related to the presence of dementia and cognitive impairment in a population-based cohort study conducted in Italy. A total of 1033 participants aged at least 65 years received clinical and neuropsychological examinations, donated blood for vitamin E analysis and had their diets assessed. Participants with plasma vitamin E levels in the bottom tertile had a significantly higher probability of being demented (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-7.1) and also of suffering from cognitive impairment (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.2) compared to those in the highest vitamin E tertile after adjustment for age, gender, education, lipid levels, energy intake, vitamin E intake, and smoking. This study supports the notion that higher vitamin E plasma levels might provide significant protection against cognitive impairment and dementia in elderly subjects.
Related Concept Videos
Dementia l: Introduction
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Dementia
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
