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P1‐002: Effects of administration of fish sausage enriched with docosahexaenoic acid on cognitive function in elderly people with very mild dementia
Author(s) -
Hashimoto Michio,
Kato Setsushi,
Tamai Tadakazu,
Matsumoto Ichie,
Ohno Miho,
Tanabe Yoko
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2010.05.549
Subject(s) - docosahexaenoic acid , eicosapentaenoic acid , dementia , placebo , fish oil , arachidonic acid , medicine , cognition , mini–mental state examination , randomized controlled trial , physiology , polyunsaturated fatty acid , fatty acid , fish <actinopterygii> , psychiatry , biochemistry , biology , pathology , alternative medicine , disease , fishery , enzyme
Background: Developing countries face the challenge of simultaneous development and population aging. In consideration of the rapid aging of society and the limited resources for long-term care, it is necessary to implement effective and efficient policies for preventing neurodegenerative disease. Previous studies found several psychosocial risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cognitive impairment. Some studies indicated that such factors as educational and occupational attainment, income, and participation in social and mental activities were associated with the risk. Others identified psychological distress as a risk factor. According to the theory of path dependence, an earlier factor determines the successive ones. Education is one of the early experiences in life. Therefore, this study examines the association between education and the other risk factors and presents a suggestion for a preventive policy in developing countries. Methods: We conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey of 440 healthy older individuals who participated in activities at the Culture Centers or Clubs of the Third Age in three cities in Mexico. We used logistic regression models to assess the association between educational level and the other possible psychosocial risk factors for dementia. We measured the psychological status of older people with a composite of Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, and Life Satisfaction Index-A. Results: A low level of education was significantly associated with low occupational attainment as well as with having no income after adjusting for basic confounders such as age, gender, cohabitation status, and domestic role (p < 0.01). It was also significantly related to less frequent participation in mental activities after adjusting for the basic confounders, occupational attainment, and income (p< 0.01). The association between a low level of education and lower psychological status remained significant even after controlling for the basic confounders, income, and mental activities (p< 0.05). Conclusions: Education fixes a path that several psychosocial risk factors depend on. Therefore, resources for preventing dementia should be concentrated on those with a low level of education. In order to change the path of these people, it is necessary to implement active interventions, such as free programs that maintain their interest and motivate them to continue to participate in cognitively stimulating activities.