Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing
Published on: January 24, 2020
Serum uric acid and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults
David J Schretlen1, Anjeli B Inscore, H A Jinnah
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287-7218, USA. dschret@jhmi.edu
Abstract:
Among possible markers of age-related cognitive decline, uric acid (UA) is controversial because it has antioxidant properties but is increased in diseases that often lead to cognitive impairment. In this study of 96 elderly adults, participants with mildly elevated (but normal) serum UA were 2.7 to 5.9 times more likely to score in the lowest quartile of the sample on measures of processing speed, verbal memory, and working memory. Even after controlling for age, sex, race, education, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and alcohol abuse, the multivariate-adjusted odds of poor verbal memory and working memory remained significant (ps < .05). Despite its antioxidant properties, these findings suggest that even mild elevations of UA might increase the risk of cognitive decline among older adults.
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism