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Homocysteine and Cognitive Performance in Elders with Self-NeglectElevated plasma homocysteine has been associated with altered cognitive performance in older adults. Elders referred to Adult Protective Services (APS) for self-neglect have been reported to have elevated plasma homocysteine levels and to suffer from cognitive impairment. This study assesses the association, if any, between plasma homocysteine and cognitive performance among elders with self-neglect. Methods: Sixty-five community-living adults, 65 years of age and older, reported to Adult Protective Services for self-neglect and 55 matched controls (matched for age, ethnicity, gender and socio-economic status) consented and participated in this study. The research team conducted in-home comprehensive geriatric assessments which included the mini-mental state exam (MMSE), the 15-item geriatric depression scale (GDS), the Wolf-Klein Clock Drawing Tests (CDT) and a comprehensive nutritional biochemistry panel, which included plasma homocysteine. Student s t tests and Pearson correlations were conducted to assess for bivariate associations. Results: Elders with self-neglect had significantly higher plasma homocysteine levels (M=12.68umol/L, sd=4.4) compared to the controls (M=10.40umol/L, sd=3.61;t=3.21, df=127, p=.002). There were no statistically significant associations between cognitive performance and plasma homocysteine in the self-neglect group, however there was a significant correlation between plasma homocysteine and the CDT among the controls (r=-.296, p=.022). Conclusion: Mean plasma homocysteine levels were significantly higher in elders with self-neglect, however, they do not appear to be related to cognitive performance, indicating that cognitive impairment in elder self-neglect involve mechanisms other than hyperhomocysteinemia. These findings warrant further investigation
Document ID
20090001237
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Burnett, J.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Smith, S.M.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Aung, K.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Dyer, C.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2009
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Meeting Information
Meeting: American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting
Location: Illinois
Country: United States
Start Date: April 29, 2009
End Date: May 3, 2009
Sponsors: American Geriatrics Society
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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