25-hydroxyvitamin D status and its impact on cognitive functions in postmenopausal woman

• Main Authors: Grzegorz Raszewski, Iwona Bojar, Krzysztof Łukawski, Grzegorz Bakalczuk, Alfred Owoc, Artur Wdowiak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Index Copernicus International S.A. 2019-11-01
• Series: Postępy Higieny i Medycyny Doświadczalnej
• Subjects: 25-hydroxyvitamin D; Cognitive function; the battery of computer tests-CNS-VS; Postmenopausal women
• Online Access: http://phmd.pl/gicid/01.3001.0013.5604
• ISSN: 0032-5449; 1732-2693

The purpose of the study was to analyze the cognitive functions in postmenopausal women carriers of Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms (APOE) with different status of vitamin D levels. 170 ambulatory individuals aged 50 years or older were evaluated. A computerized battery of Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) was used for diagnostic cognitive functions. APOE genotype was performed by multiplex PCR. Serum 25(OH)D and estradiol levels were measured using the 25OHD EIA assay and Estradiol ELISA Kits. Considerably worse scores in global cognitive performance index (NCI) were obtained by women with severe deficiency of 25(OH)D (p <0.001). The cognitive effects of very low 25(OH)D levels were apparent in memory, executive functioning, complex attention, and cognitive flexibility. The genotype APOE ε3/ε4 or ε4/ε4 were most common (19.6%; 15.2%, respectively) in women with 25(OH)D severe deficiency which had the weakest average results in terms of NCI value. The severe deficiency of 25(OH)D vitamin was related with a greater likelihood of cognitive impairment and risk of cognitive decline in postmenopausal women with no dementia.