In total, 1,628 Japanese community residents aged 60 and older without dementia were followed prospectively from when they underwent a screening examination in 2002-2003 to November 2012 (median 10.3 years, interquartile range 7.2-10.4 years). During the follow-up, 377 participants developed some type of dementia (247 AD, 102 vascular dementia). Higher serum elaidic acid levels were significantly associated with greater risk of developing all-cause dementia (p for trend = 0.003) and AD (p for trend = 0.02) after adjustment for traditional risk factors. These associations remained significant after adjustment for dietary factors, including total energy intake and intakes of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (both p for trend <0.05). No significant associations were found between serum elaidic acid levels and vascular dementia.
The findings suggest that higher serum elaidic acid is a possible risk factor for the development of all-cause dementia and AD in later life.
Takanori Honda, et al. Serum elaidic acid concentration and risk of dementia. Neurology Oct 2019, 10.1212/WNL.0000000000008464; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000008464
