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Association of cognitive impairment and zinc intake in HIV+ adults
Author(s) -
Mandal Priyanka,
Baum Marianna K,
Sales Sabrina,
Li Yinghui,
Jayaweera Dushyantha T,
Page John B,
Campa Adriana
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.718.4
Subject(s) - medicine , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , cognition , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , physiology , prospective cohort study , quality of life (healthcare) , cognitive impairment , cohort , disease , immunology , psychiatry , micronutrient , pathology , nursing
Background The central nervous system contains 10% of all body zinc. Zinc deficiency, which is prevalent in HIV‐infection, has been associated with cognitive impairment. This study examined the risk factors associated with impaired cognitive performance in HIV infection. Methods After consenting 231 HIV‐infected adults, a 30 point‐questionnaire assessed cognitive function by testing immediate memory, problem solving ability and quality of life. Those with <26 points were considered cognitively impaired. Blood was drawn for plasma levels of zinc and HIV disease parameters. Quality of life, alcohol and drug use, and 24‐hour dietary recall questionnaires were administered. Results There were 54 cases (23.3%) with cognitive impairment. When compared to those without impairment, cases had significantly poorer dietary zinc intake (8.1±SD5.7 vs. 10.4±SD7.8 mg, p=0.027) and were significantly older (44.8±SD6.3 vs. 42±SD7.1 years, p=0.0088). Alcohol and illicit drug use and frequency of use, plasma levels of zinc, CD4 count<200 cell/mm 3 , gender, and quality of life scores were not significantly different between groups. Conclusion Lower zinc intake is a risk factor for impaired cognitive performance in this cohort of HIV+ adults. Prospective studies are needed to examine whether zinc supplementation might alleviate cognitive impairment in HIV+ adults with zinc deficiency. Funded by NIDA