Age related characteristics of cognitive changes in patients with metabolic syndrome

Introduction: According to World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts, by 2050 the number of people suffering from dementia will constitute about 150 millions in the world. Nowadays, Alzheimer's disease plays the leading role in dementia emergence; it is the cause of age related dementia in 60% of cases. The aim: This study aimed to assess the age related cognitive changes in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Materials and methods: 503 patients aged 45 to 89 years with chronic cerebral ischemia were included into the study. All the patients were divided into two groups: group 1 - without MetS (n = 198), group 2 - with MetS (n = 305). Patients of both groups were divided into 3 age subgroups: 1st - 45-59, 2nd - 60-74, 3rd - 75-89 years old.The MetS was defined according to the criteria of the American Heart Association, the World Heart Federation, the International Atherosclerosis Society, and the International Association for the Study of Obesity. To evaluate patients' cognitive functions wide range of neuropsychological tests were used.

Results: Patients of both groups had significant age related cognitive deficit. MetS patients of all age subgroups with mild cognitive impairment syndrome revealed a significant decline of immediate and delayed memory on the verbal stimuli (especially in patients of elderly and senior age groups), the rate of sensorimotor reactions, mental capacity, and the active attention amount in comparison to the patients without MetS. MetS patients with dementia of the middle age had significantly lower parameters of immediate and delayed memory on the verbal stimuli, the rate of sensorimotor reactions, mental capacity, and the active attention amount in comparison to the patients without MetS but with dementia.

Conclusions:The presence of MetS was associated with more pronounced cognitive decline in the patients, concerning different aspects of memory, attention and executive functions.