Large Neutral Amino Acids Moderate the Effects of Metabolic Syndrome on Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged Adults

Two large neutral amino acids (LNAA), tryptophan and tyrosine, are precursors to cerebral neurotransmitters and are involved in cognitive function. Higher levels of LNAA in young adults are associated with improved cognition, although these associations appear to reverse over time. Given that exposure to metabolic syndrome (MetS) may induce premature cognitive aging, the current project aims to fill the gap in the literature by examining the effect of LNAA on cognitive performance in midlife adults with metabolic risks.

Eighty-eight adults, ages 40-61 years, participated in this cross-sectional study. LNAA metabolites were quantified, MetS components were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography, and MetS components were assessed in the laboratory. Composite verbal memory and executive functioning scores were computed using principal component analysis. We used linear regression models to test the interaction between LNAA and MetS while covarying for sex, age, and education.

The kynurenine/tryptophan ratio moderated the relation between MetS and verbal memory, even after adjusting for relevant covariates. Tyrosine metabolites were not significant moderators of the association between MetS and executive functioning.

Our findings suggest that the detected weaker memory performance in adults with a high number of MetS components may be related to relative tryptophan depletion and possible decreases in serotonin production. Further investigation is warranted to examine the potential role of LNAA in associations between cognitive performance and metabolic risks over time.