Sex-specific association of serum phospholipid very-long-chain saturated fatty acids with cognitive performance among...

Lipid metabolism and its impact on cognitive health have become a hot topic in recent years as life expectancy increases and the population ages.

To investigate the association of serum levels of very-long-chain saturated fatty acids (VLSFAs) with cognitive performance among older individuals.

This cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014, focusing on adults aged 60 years or older. Serum phospholipid VLSFAs levels were measured using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline methodology were utilized to evaluate the relationship between serum VLSFAs (C20:0, C22:0, C23:0, C24:0) and cognitive performance.

690 female and 676 male participants were included. After multivariate adjustment, elevated proportions of C23:0 in total serum fatty acids were associated with better global cognitive performance. No significant associations were observed between C20:0, C22:0, C24:0 and cognitive function. Gender interaction analyses revealed that the associations of VLSFAs with cognitive function differed significantly between females and males. Among female but not male participants, higher levels of C22:0 were associated with better performance across various cognitive domains and increased C23:0 levels were correlated with higher scores in global cognition and higher C24:0 levels were associated with better performance in CERAD test and global cognition. The association between serum VLSFAs levels and cognitive performance among female participants remained significant when stratified by diabetes, poverty-income ratio and age.

Our study indicates significant sex-specific differences in the association between VLSFAs and cognitive function among older adults. Increased levels of serum VLSFAs may be associated with better cognitive function in elderly females, whereas no such association was observed in males. Larger studies are needed to further elucidate gender differences in the correlation between VLSFAs and cognitive function, and to explore in depth their underlying biological mechanism.