Dr. Grossman’s Blog

Seniors who perform poorly on tests of language, memory and concentration are more likely to be suffering from the early stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 

A new study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology reviews the association between cognitive function decline and the onset of AMD.

“We found that those who have memory impairment were more likely to have early stages of macular degeneration independent of the effects of age, education and vascular risk factors,” said study co-author Dr. Tien Yin Wong, a professor in the department of ophthalmology with the Centre for Eye Research Australia at the University of Melbourne.

2088 participants aged 69 to 97 years who participated in the Cardiovascular Health Study were assessed for AMD.  Cognitive function was evaluated using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination. Participants were also evaluated for dementia using detailed neuropsychological testing.

After controlling for age, sex, race, and study center, participants with low DSST scores were more likely to have early AMD than were participants with higher DSST scores.   In analysis that also controlled for education, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol level, diabetes mellitus, smoking status, and apolipoprotein E genotype, the association was even stronger.

There was no association of dementia or Alzheimer disease with early AMD.

Read other studies on AMD

See tips on preventing vision problems with a focus on nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes, and a positive mental approach to life at Natural Eye Care

SOURCE:  Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Cognitive Function, and Dementia – The Cardiovascular Health Study, Baker, et al, Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(5):667-673.

Researchers with the Hordaland Health Study reviewed the relationship between consumption of different amounts of fish (and fish products) and cognitive performance.

In this study, 2031 subjects in Norway aged 70 to 74 underwent a battery of six cognitive tests and completed food-frequency questionnaires that identified both the quantity and the type of fish consumed in their diet. Researchers then studied the associations between cognitive performance and the main types of consumed seafood, i.e., fatty fish, lean fish, processed fish, fish sandwich, and fish or cod liver oil.

They found that fish eaters had significantly better results on all cognitive tests than did the non-consumers, even after adjustment for several non-nutritional factors with a proven association with cognition (e.g., education levels).

The protective effect of eating fish and fish products extended to almost all of the tested cognitive abilities. In addition, the associations between fish and fish product intake and cognition were dose-dependent: those who ate greater amounts of fish showed better test results.

The researchers also observed that the results depend on the type of fish consumed: the effect was more pronounced for non-processed lean fish and fatty fish.

Read other studies that link fish consumption to improved eye health

Learn more about natural fish oil products

SOURCE: “Cognitive performance among the elderly and dietary fish intake: the Hordaland Health Study”, Nurk, et. al., Am J Clin Nutr; 86:1470-1478 (November 2007).