Beta-carotene may protect certain people against Alzheimer’s

High levels of the carotenoid beta-carotene may protect cognitive decline in people with a certain genotype that is said to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s, say researchers.

“Among high-functioning older persons, antioxidants and beta-carotene in particular may offer protection from cognitive decline in persons with greater genetic susceptibility,” wrote lead author Peifeng Hu in the Journal of Gerontology.

The new study, by researchers at UCLA School of Medicine, the University of Southern California, and the National Institute on Aging, used data from a seven-year cohort study of older people to investigate if serum beta-carotene levels had an effect on cognitive decline in people with differing ApoE 4 genotypes (homo- or heterozygous).

Out of the sample population of 455 people, the researchers report that nine people were ApoE4 homozygous, and 97 were ApoE4 heterozygous. Serum beta-carotene levels were measured at baseline, and cognitive function assessed using a 9-item Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ).

During the seven years of follow-up, cognitive decline (as measured by falling SPMSQ scores) was documented in 249 people. Hu and co-workers reported that the presence of at least one ApoE 4 allele was linked to a higher risk and larger decline in SPMSQ scores.

The researchers report that high serum beta-carotene levels was associated with a 89 per cent reduction in the risk of cognitive decline in people with at least one APOE 4 allele. For those with no ApoE4 alleles, high serum beta-carotene levels were associated with only a modest 11 per cent reduction in the risk of cognitive decline.