Plasma phospholipid very-long-chain SFAs in midlife and 20-year cognitive change in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC): a cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Background Very-long-chain SFAs (VLSFAs) have recently gained considerable attention as having beneficial effects on health and aging. Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the associations of plasma phospholipid VLSFAs [arachidic acid (20:0), behenic acid (22:0), tricosanoic acid (23:0), and lignoceric acid (24:0)] with 20-y cognitive decline in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) participants. Furthermore, this study compared the associations of plasma phospholipid VLSFAs with 5 common groups of fatty acids [i.e., total SFAs, total MUFAs, total ω-3 (n–3) PUFAs, total marine-derived ω-3 PUFAs, total ω-6 PUFAs]. Methods This study used a cohort study design of 3229 ARIC participants enrolled at the Minnesota field center. Fatty acids were measured at visit 1 (1987–1989); and cognition was assessed at visits 2 (1990–1992), 4 (1996–1998), and 5 (2011–2013) using 3 tests: the Delayed Word Recall Test (DWRT), the Digit-Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and the Word Fluency Test (WFT). Results Higher proportions of plasma phospholipid total VLSFAs and each individual VLSFA were associated with less decline in WFT, a test of verbal fluency. For example, 1 SD higher in total VLSFAs at baseline was associated with 0.057 SD (95% CI: 0.018, 0.096, P = 0.004) less cognitive decline over 20 y as measured by WFT score. None of the 5 common fatty acid groups were associated with change in WFT, but a higher proportion of plasma phospholipid total MUFAs was associated with greater decline in DWRT; higher total ω-6 PUFAs with less decline in DWRT; and higher total ω-3 and total marine-derived ω-3 PUFAs with less decline in DSST. Conclusions This study suggests that higher proportions of plasma phospholipid VLSFAs in midlife may be associated with less 20-y cognitive decline.