Frailty, Falls, and Fractures

Delirium and frailty in older adults: Clinical overlap and biological underpinnings

Frailty and delirium are two common geriatric syndromes sharing several clinical characteristics, risk factors, and negative outcomes. Understanding their interdependency is crucial to identify shared mechanisms and implement initiatives to reduce the associated burden. This literature review summarizes scientific evidence on the complex interplay between frailty and delirium; clinical, epidemiological, and pathophysiological commonalities; and current knowledge gaps. We conducted a PubMed systematic search in June 2023, which yielded 118 eligible articles out of 991. The synthesis of the results-carried out by content experts-highlights overlapping risk factors, clinical phenotypes, and outcomes and explores the influence of one syndrome on the onset of the other. Common pathophysiological mechanisms identified include inflammation, neurodegeneration, metabolic insufficiency, and vascular burden. The review suggests that frailty is a risk factor for delirium, with some support for delirium associated with accelerated frailty. The proposed unifying framework supports the integration and measurement of both constructs in research and clinical practice, identifying the geroscience approach as a potential avenue to develop strategies for both conditions. In conclusion, we suggest that frailty and delirium might be alternative-sometimes coexisting-manifestations of accelerated biological aging. Clinically, the concepts addressed in this review can help approach older adults with either frailty or delirium from a different perspective. From a research standpoint, longitudinal studies are needed to explore the hypothesis that specific pathways within the biology of aging may underlie the clinical manifestations of frailty and delirium. Such research will pave the way for future understanding of other geriatric syndromes as well.

Association of metabolic syndrome severity with frailty progression among Chinese middle and old-aged adults: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

The binary diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome(MetS) fails to accurately evaluate its severity, and the association between MetS severity and frailty progression remains inadequately elucidated. This study aims to clarify the relationship between the severity of MetS and the progression of frailty among the middle-aged and elderly population in China.

METHOD

Participants from the 2011-2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS) were included for a longitudinal analysis. The study employs a frailty index(FI) based on 32 health deficits to diagnose frailty and to assess FI trajectories. An age-sex-ethnicity-specific MetS scoring model (MetS score) was used to assess metabolic syndrome severity in Chinese adults. The Cumulative MetS score from 2012 to 2015 was calculated using the formula: (MetS score in wave 1 + MetS score in wave 3) / 2 × time(2015 - 2012). The association between MetS score, Cumulative MetS score, and the risk and trajectory of frailty were evaluated using Cox regression/logistic regression, and linear mixed models. Restricted Cubic Splines(RCS) models were utilized to detect potential non-linear associations.

RESULTS

A higher MetS score was significantly associated with an increased risk of frailty(HR per 1 SD increase = 1.205; 95%CI: 1.14 to 1.273) and an accelerated FI trajectory(β per 1 SD increase = 0.113 per year; 95%CI: 0.075 to 0.15 per year). Evaluating changes in MetS score using a Cumulative MetS score indicated that each 1 SD increase in the Cumulative MetS score increased the risk of frailty by 22.2%(OR = 1.222; 95%CI: 1.133 to 1.319) and accelerated the rate of increase in FI(β = 0.098 per year; 95%CI: 0.058 to 0.138 per year). RCS model results demonstrated a dose-response curve relationship between MetS score and Cumulative MetS score with frailty risk. Stratified analysis showed consistency across subgroups. The interaction results indicate that in males and individuals under aged 60, MetS score may accelerate the increase in FI, a finding consistent across both models.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings underscore the positive correlation between the severity of MetS and frailty progression in the middle-aged and elderly, highlighting the urgent need for early identification of MetS and targeted interventions to reduce the risk of frailty.

M, Srivastava S. Cross-sectional associations of physical frailty with fall, multiple falls and fall-injury among older Indian adults: Findings from LASI, 2018

BACKGROUND

Although there has been a range of studies that focused on physical frailty and associated fall outcomes within developed countries, similar studies from developing countries have been limited. This study aimed to examine the relationship between physical frailty and the prevalence of falls, multiple falls and fall-related injuries among the ageing population within the Indian context.

METHODS

Individual-level data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) with 28,285 older adults aged 60 years and above (male 48.9%) was used for this study. Physical frailty was assessed through the physical frailty phenotype adapted from Fried's criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to examine the association of frailty status with falls, multiple falls, and fall-related injuries among Indian older adults.

RESULTS

The prevalence of frailty was found to be 29.94% within the sample and frail older adults had a higher prevalence of falls (15.43% vs 11.85%), multiple falls (7.73% vs 5.25%), and fall related injuries (6.68% vs 5.29%). The odds of falling among frail older adults were significantly higher in reference to the odds of falling among non-frail older adults [aOR: 1.24; CI: 1.09-1.41]. Similarly, the odds of multiple falls among frail older adults were significantly higher in reference to the odds of multiple falls among non-frail older adults [aOR: 1.24; CI: 1.05-1.48]. Moreover, the odds of fall-related injury among frail older adults were significantly higher in reference to the odds of fall-related injury among non-frail older adults [aOR: 1.21; CI: 1.01-1.45]. Falls, multiple falls and fall-related injuries were found to be significantly associated with employment and poor self-rated health, whereas, females and lone living older adults had a significantly higher likelihood of suffering from falls and multiple falls.

CONCLUSION

Older individuals with physical frailty were found to be at increased risk of falls, multiple falls and fall-related injuries in India. The findings of our study also have important clinical implications in the measures undertaken to reduce falls and enable future healthcare practitioners and policymakers to factor in the key determinant of physical frailty.

CHA2DS2-VASc and has-BLED scores do not accurately stratify risk for stroke or bleed in fall victims with atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Falls are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Non-valvular Atrial fibrillation (AF) is present in up to 9% of this group and often requires oral anticoagulation (OAC). The CHA₂DS₂-VASc and HAS-BLED scores are validated tools assessing risk of ischemic stroke from AF and major bleeding (MB) from OAC. It is unclear if these predictions remain accurate in post-fall patients. This study seeks to determine the stroke and major bleeding rate in atrial fibrillation patients after a ground level fall and identify if validated risk scoring systems accurately stratify risk in this cohort.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients with AF presented to the emergency department after a fall. CHA₂DS₂-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were calculated. Follow up information was reviewed to 1 year. Patients were grouped according to discharge thromboprophylaxis plan (DTP): no treatment, Anti-platelet (AP), OAC, and AP + OAC. Outcomes were ischemic stroke, MB, or death at 1 year. Ischemic stroke and MB rates were calculated. Kruskal-Wallis, Χ², Fisher's exact, and multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate for clinical associations.

RESULTS

192 patients were included. MB rate was 14.5 bleeds/100 person-years, and ischemic stroke rate was 10.9/100 person-years. There were no observed differences between DTPs. Overall, one-year mortality was 22.1%. On unadjusted analysis, CHA₂DS₂-VASc did associate with ischemic stroke (p = 0.03); HAS-BLED did not associate with MB (p = 0.17). After logistic regression accounting for known risk factors, neither system associated with ischemic stroke or MB.

CONCLUSIONS

Fall patients are at higher risk for both ischemic stroke and MB compared to previously published reports. Current risk assessment tools should be used with caution. Further study of risk factors is warranted to guide medication decisions in these patients.

Effect of social participation on the development of physical frailty: Do type, frequency and diversity matter?

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the longitudinal association between social participation and incident frailty in community-dwelling older adults in general and particularly in China. This study examined the impact of type, frequency and diversity of social participation on incident physical frailty at two-year follow-up.

METHOD

Longitudinal data from three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used. Older adults who were non-frail and aged 60 years or more at baseline and had information on physical frailty at follow-up were included. Frailty was measured using the modified frailty phenotype criteria. Social participation was measured as the type, frequency and diversity of engagement in social activities, including interacting with friends, playing group games, participating in sports clubs, community-related organizations, and voluntary activities.

RESULTS

A total of 6959 eligible respondents were included. Playing group games (OR=0.73, 95%CI=0.55-0.96) or participating in the activities of sports clubs (OR=0.54, 95%CI=0.34-0.85) once or more times per week led to a decreased risk of developing frailty in two years whereas participating in voluntary activities occasionally (OR=0.50, 95%CI=0.30-0.84) had a protective effect on the development of frailty. More diverse social participation was significantly associated with lower risk of incident frailty at two-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between social participation and onset of physical frailty differed by the specific type and frequency of the activities that older adults engaged in. Promoting social participation of various types and at an appropriate frequency may be a promising way to mitigate the burden associated with physical frailty among older adults.

Frailty Impact during and after Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Frailty is a condition of reduced physiologic reserve common in COPD candidates to pulmonary rehabilitation, however no study has investigated whether frailty impacts the decline that a great part of COPD patients face after the completion of the rehabilitation program. Study objectives are to verify frailty impact on pulmonary rehabilitation outcomes during and after the program. This is a secondary analysis of a longitudinal study. Stable COPD patients GOLD I-III were randomized to a three-month endurance versus endurance and resistance training. Participants performed a multidimensional assessment at baseline, at the end of the rehabilitation program and after six months. Frailty was defined using a two-step approach including PRISMA-7 and Timed "Up and Go" test. Frailty interaction with time was evaluated using generalized least-squared regression models for repeated measures, correcting for potential confounders. Of the 53 participants with a mean age of 73 (SD:8) years 38 (72%) were frail. The mean 6MWD and V'O2_peak increased in frail and no frail patients during pulmonary rehabilitation and declined after its completion, while CAT score showed a steep decline during the training, and a mild decline later. Frailty showed a significant interaction with time in terms of 6MWD variation during (β adj:43.6 meters, p-value:0.01) and after (β adj:-47 meters, p-value:0.02) pulmonary rehabilitation; no significant interaction was found in terms of V'O2_peak and CAT score variation. In conclusion, frail COPD patients have a higher potential to benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation, but a higher risk to have a steeper decline later.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15412555.2021.1967915 .

Closing the Osteoporosis Care Gap

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review outlines the scope of the problem in osteoporosis care and secondary fracture prevention and describes fracture prevention strategies, with a focus on the frail elderly.

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite heightened awareness among patients and clinicians alike and the availability of efficacious anti-osteoporosis medications, osteoporosis is still underdiagnosed and undertreated. However, the introduction of systematic risk assessment and secondary fracture prevention programmes has gained momentum, and evidence of success is accumulating. We possess today the knowledge required to close the osteoporosis care gap. The basic components in a secondary prevention model are similar in all health care settings, number one being a dedicated fracture coordinator, with anti-osteoporosis medications and multifaceted falls prevention as cornerstones, particularly in the frailest, both in the near and long-term. Initiation of structured care pathways including the key elements - identification, investigation, intervention and follow-up of adherence - demonstrably reduces re-fracture rates and is cost-effective.

The Added Value of SARC-F to Prescreening Using FRAX for Hip Fracture Prevention in Older Community Adults

OBJECTIVES

To examine the potential added value of a simple 5-item questionnaire for sarcopenia screening (SARC-F) to the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) for hip fracture risk prediction, in order to identify at-risk older adults for screening with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Two thousand Chinese men and 2000 Chinese women aged 65 years or older were recruited from local communities and were prospectively followed up for about 10 years.

MEASURES

Areal bone mineral density (BMD) of hip and lumbar spine were measured by DXA at baseline. Ten-year FRAX probability of hip fracture was calculated using the baseline risk factors. Information from the baseline questionnaire was extracted to calculate a modified SARC-F score. The independent predictive values of SARC-F and FRAX questionnaire were evaluated using multivariate survival analysis. The added predictive values of SARC-F to FRAX for pre-DXA screening were examined.

RESULTS

During the follow-up, 63 (3.2%) men and 69 (3.5%) women had at least 1 incident hip fracture. SARC-F had an independent value of FRAX for hip fracture risk prediction, with an adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 1.24 (1.02, 1.52) and 1.15 (0.99, 1.13) in men and women, respectively. Compared with using FRAX, using SARC-F in conjunction with FRAX made the sensitivity for prediction rise from 58.7% to 76.2% in men and from 69.6% to 78.3% in women, with a nondecreased area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.67. Prescreening using FRAX in conjunction with SARC-F could save more than half of the DXA assessment than with no prescreening.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS

SARC-F is associated with a modest increase in hip fracture risk, especially in men. Conjoint evaluation for sarcopenia in addition to FRAX screening may help identify older adults at higher risk of hip fracture for more intensive screening and/or preventive interventions.

Progression of frailty and prevalence of osteoporosis in a community cohort of older women-a 10-year longitudinal study

In community dwelling, 75-year-old women followed 10 years, a frailty index was created at each of three visits. Frailty score increased by ~ 6-7% annually. A higher frailty score was equivalent to being 5-10 years chronologically older. Frailty was associated with low bone density and higher risk of dying.

INTRODUCTION

To understand the distribution of frailty among a population-based sample of older community-dwelling women, progression over 10 years, and association with mortality and osteoporosis.

METHODS

The study is performed in a cohort designed to investigate osteoporosis. The OPRA cohort consists of 75-year-old women, n = 1044 at baseline, and follow-up at age 80 and 85. A frailty index (scored from 0.0-1.0) based on deficits in health across multiple domains was created at all time-points; outcomes were mortality up to 15 years and femoral neck bone density.

RESULTS

At baseline, the proportion least frail, i.e., most robust (FI 0.0-0.1) constituted 48%, dropping to 25 and 14% at age 80 and 85. On average, over 10 years, the annual linear frailty score progression was approximately 6-7%. Among the least frail, 11% remained robust over 10 years. A higher frailty score was equivalent to being 5 to 10 years older. Mortality was substantially higher in the highest quartile compared to the lowest based on baseline frailty score; after 10 years, 48.7% had died vs 17.2% (p = 1.7 × 10^-14). Mortality risk over the first 5 years was highest in the frailest (Q4 vs Q1; HR_unadj 3.26 [1.86-5.73]; p < 0.001) and continued to be elevated at 10 years (HR_unadj 3.58 [2.55-5.03]; p < 0.001). Frailty was associated with BMD after adjusting for BMI (overall p = 0.006; Q1 vs Q4 p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The frailty index was highly predictive of mortality showing a threefold increased risk of death in the frailest both in a shorter and longer perspective. Only one in ten older women escaped progression after 10 years. Frailty and osteoporosis were associated.

Frailty Status and Gait Parameters of Older Women With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVES

Gait decline in individuals with frailty status is associated with comorbidities, falls and reduced mobility, reflecting changes in gait. The prevalence of frailty in individuals with type 2 diabetes is higher compared to individuals without diabetes. However, the consequences of frailty status on gait in older women with diabetes are unclear. The objective of the study was to investigate gait changes in older women with diabetes who are classified as vulnerable, having 1 or more frailty conditions, or robust, having none of the conditions, according to the Fried phenotype.

METHODS

Participants included 203 older women: 112 without diabetes and 91 with diabetes. The nondiabetes robust group included 59 older women: nondiabetes, vulnerable, 53; diabetes, robust, 26; and diabetes, vulnerable, 65. Gait parameters were obtained by using the GAITRite system and included velocity, cadence, step length, stance time and double-support time. Multivariate analysis was conducted followed by post hoc analysis.

RESULTS

Older women with diabetes and vulnerable status used more drugs and had higher body mass indexes than the groups without diabetes who were vulnerable and robust; there was no difference between the diabetes, robust and diabetes, vulnerable groups. Falls history and fear of falling were similar in all groups. Vulnerable older women with diabetes walked with decreased velocity, cadence and step length and increased stance time compared to all groups and with increased double-support time compared to the nondiabetes robust and nondiabetes vulnerable groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Gait decline in vulnerable older women with diabetes is worsened by their frailty status. Our study reinforces the importance of screening older women with diabetes for frailty status.

Association between frailty and its individual components with the risk of falls in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Frailty is common among older people who carry an increased risk for poor outcomes, including falls, physical disabilities, infections, and mortality. However, the prevalence of frailty and the prognostic influence of frailty status are poorly understood in adults with schizophrenia. The present study aimed to assess the predictive ability of frailty and its individual components for the risk of falls in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Frailty status was assessed at baseline by using Fried frailty criteria after the enrollment of 561 patients with chronic schizophrenia. The patients were followed up for 18 months, and the outcome of the study was the incidence of falls. The mean age of the patients was 53.8 years, and a total of 35.3% were females. One-quarter (25.3%) of patients received typical antipsychotics. The prevalence of frailty was 10.2% at baseline. During follow-up, 40 patients (7.1%) experienced falls. Frailty status was associated with increased susceptibility to falling with an unadjusted hazard ratio of 5.27 (95% confidence interval: 2.75-10.10) and a hazard ratio of 4.65 (95% confidence interval: 1.88-11.54) after multivariate adjustment. Among the components of frailty, the most significant association was observed between low physical activity and falls (p < 0.05). In conclusion, frailty is highly prevalent in patients with chronic schizophrenia and is associated with the risk of adverse clinical events. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanisms underlying the relationship between schizophrenia and frailty in an attempt to develop an appropriate treatment plan for improving clinical outcomes for these patients.

Effects of pain treatment on sleep in nursing home patients with dementia and depression: A multicenter placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of pain treatment on sleep in nursing home (NH) patients with dementia and depression.

METHODS

A multicenter, 2-armed, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted between August 2014 and September 2016. One hundred six long-term patients from 47 NHs in Norway with dementia and depression according to the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia were included. Patients received stepwise pain treatment in which those who did not use analgesics were randomized to receive either paracetamol (3 g/day) or placebo tablets; those who already used pain treatment were allocated to buprenorphine transdermal system (max. 10 μg/h/7 days) or placebo transdermal patches. Sleep was assessed continuously for 14 days by actigraphy, 1 week of baseline measurement, and 1 week of ongoing treatment. The following sleep parameters were evaluated: total sleep time, sleep efficiency (SE), sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset, early morning awakening (EMA), and number of wake bouts.

RESULTS

In the intervention group (paracetamol/buprenorphine), SE (70%-72%), SOL (32-24 min), and EMA (50-40 min) improved compared with the control group (SE, 70%-67%; SOL, 47-60 min; EMA, 31-35 min). Treatment effects were significant (P < .01, P < .05, and P < .05, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Compared with placebo, pain treatment improved sleep as measured with actigraphy. This implies that sleep, pain, and depression in NH patients should be critically evaluated and that pain treatment should be considered to be a potentially beneficial treatment.

Long-Term Pain Treatment Did Not Improve Sleep in Nursing Home Patients with Comorbid Dementia and Depression: A 13-Week Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective: Previous research indicates that pain treatment may improve sleep among nursing home patients. We aimed to investigate the long-term effect of pain treatment on 24-h sleep patterns in patients with comorbid depression and dementia.

Design: A 13-week, multicenter, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial conducted between August 2014 and September 2016.

Setting: Long-term patients from 47 nursing homes in Norway.

Participants: We included 106 patients with comorbid dementia and depression according to the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD).

Intervention: Patients who were not using analgesics were randomized to receive either paracetamol (3 g/day) or placebo tablets. Those who already received pain treatment were randomized to buprenorphine transdermal system (maximum 10 μg/h/7 days) or placebo transdermal patches.

Measurements: Sleep was assessed continuously for 7 days by actigraphy, at baseline and in week 13. Total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), early morning awakening (EMA), and number of wake bouts (NoW) were evaluated. In addition, daytime total sleep time (DTS) was estimated. Pain was assessed with Mobilization-Observation-Behavior-Intensity-Dementia-2 Pain Scale (MOBID-2).

Results: The linear mixed model analyses for TST, SE, SOL, WASO, EMA, NoW and DTS showed no statistically significant differences between patients who received active pain treatment and those who received placebo. Post hoc subgroup analyses showed that there were no statistically significant differences between active treatment and placebo from baseline to week 13 in patients who were in pain (MOBID-2 ≥ 3) at baseline, or in patients who had poor sleep (defined as SE < 85%) at baseline. Patients who received active buprenorphine showed an increase in TST and SE compared to those who received active paracetamol.

Conclusion: The main analyses showed that long-term pain treatment did not improve sleep as measured with actigraphy. Compared to paracetamol, TST and SE increased among patients who received buprenorphine. This could indicate that some patients had beneficial effects from the most potent pain treatment. However, based on the present findings, long-term pain treatment is not recommended as a strategy to improve sleep. Clinical Trial https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02267057.

Osteoporotic fractures and obesity affect frailty progression: a longitudinal analysis of the Canadian multicentre osteoporosis study

BACKGROUND

Despite knowing better how to screen older adults, understanding how frailty progression might be modified is unclear. We explored effects of modifiable and non-modifiable factors on changes in frailty in community-dwelling adults aged 50+ years who participated in the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos).

METHODS

Rates of change in frailty over 10 years were examined using the 30-item CaMos Frailty Index (CFI). Incident and prevalent low-trauma fractures were categorized by fracture site into hip, clinical vertebral and non-hip-non-vertebral fractures. Multivariable generalized estimating equation models accounted for the time of frailty assessment (baseline, 5 and 10 years), sex, age, body mass index (BMI, kg/m²), physical activity, bone mineral density, antiresorptive therapy, health-related quality of life (HRQL), cognitive status, and other factors for frailty or fractures. Multiple imputation and scenario analyses addressed bias due to attrition or missing data.

RESULTS

The cohort included 5566 women (mean ± standard deviation: 66.8 ± 9.3 years) and 2187 men (66.3 ± 9.5 years) with the mean baseline CFI scores of 0.15 ± 0.11 and 0.12 ± 0.10, respectively. Incident fractures and obesity most strongly predicted frailty progression in multivariable analyses. The impact of fractures differed between the sexes. With each incident hip fracture, the adjusted mean CFI accelerated per 5 years by 0.07 in women (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03 to 0.11) and by 0.12 in men (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.16). An incident vertebral fracture increased frailty in women (0.05, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.08) but not in men (0.01, 95% CI: -0.07 to 0.09). Irrespective of sex and prevalent fractures, baseline obesity was associated with faster frailty progression: a 5-year increase in the adjusted mean CFI ranged from 0.01 in overweight (BMI: 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m²) to 0.10 in obese individuals (BMI: ≥ 40 kg/m²). Greater physical activity and better HRQL decreased frailty over time. The results remained robust in scenario analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Older women and men with new vertebral fractures, hip fractures or obesity represent high-risk groups that should be considered for frailty interventions.

Dehydration, Hypernatremia, and Hyponatremia

Disturbances of serum sodium are one of the most common findings in older persons. They are also a major cause of hospital admissions and delirium and are associated with frailty, falls, and hip fractures. Both hypernatremia and hyponatremia are potentially preventable. Treatment involves treating the underlying cause and restoring sodium and volume status to normal. The arginine vasopressin antagonists, vaptans, have increased the therapeutic armamentarium available to physicians.

Cognition and nutrition

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Aging is associated with a decline in cognition. This review examines the available data on the effects of nutrition on cognitive impairment. It also explores the mechanism(s) by which food may enhance memory.

RECENT FINDINGS

An increasing body of evidence has supported the role of the Mediterranean diet and extra-virgin olive oil in protecting cognition. A number of nutritional formulations to improve deteriorating memory are being studied. Undernutrition is associated with cognitive decline. Hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia cause cognitive impairment.

SUMMARY

There are increasing data to support the role of nutrition in maintaining cognition.