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β-Amyloid is Associated with Reduced Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults

Received March 11, 2007; revised July 6, 2007; accepted August 6, 2007. Drs. Gunstad, Spitznagel, and Walter are affiliated with the Department of Psychology at Kent State University in Ohio; Drs. Gunstad and Spitznagel are also affiliated with the Center for Neuropsychological Studies, Department of Psychiatry, at Summa Health System; Drs. Glickman and Heltzel are affiliated with the Department of Exercise Leisure and Sport at Kent State University; Drs. Alexander and Murray are affiliated with the Department of Pathology at Summa Health System. Address correspondence to Mary Beth Spitznagel, Ph.D., Center for Neuropsychological Studies, Summa Health System, Department of Psychiatry, 444 North Main St., Center 4, Akron, OH 44310; spitznagelm{at}summa-health.org (e-mail).

Though elevated β-amyloid deposition is associated with Alzheimer’s disease, recent evidence suggests β-amyloid is elevated in healthy older adults prior to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. No study has yet investigated whether reduced cognitive function is related to β-amyloid elevation in healthy older adults. Thirty-five healthy older adults underwent neuropsychological testing and fasting blood draw with subsequent serum β-amyloid 1–40 level quantification. β-amyloid was negatively correlated with several aspects of cognition. Findings indicate that β-amyloid level is associated with cognitive function in healthy older adults in a pattern similar to early Alzheimer’s disease. Further work investigating possible mechanisms is needed.

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