Anti-oxidants and cognitive function: a review of clinical and epidemiologic studies

While the role of diet in heart disease and cancer has received much attention, a possible role for diet in the development of cognitive impairment and dementia is just now being investigated. In this presentation, the putative mechanisms through which anti-oxidants could modulate cellular life in the brain will be briefly discussed. Epidemiologic studies that describe the relation of selected dietary nutrients to cognitive impairment and dementia will be reviewed. In particular, recent results from the analyses of community based follow-up studies, including the Rotterdam Study and the Zutphen Study will be presented. Briefly, these studies provide a mixed picture concerning the relation of anti-oxidants to cognitive impairment or dementia.