Plasma Carotenoid Levels and Cognitive Performance in an Elderly Population: Results of the EVA Study

Background. The hypothesis of carotenoids having a preventive role in cognitive impairment is suggested by their antioxidant properties. Methods. We examined, in a cross-sectional analysis, the relationship between cognitive performance (assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination, Trail Making Test Part B, Digit Symbol Substitution, Finger Tapping Test, and Word Fluency Test) and different plasma carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, b-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, a-carotene, and trans-b-carotene and cis-b-carotene) in a healthy elderly population (the EVA,‘‘Etude du Vieillissement Artériel,’ ’ study; n589, age 73.5 6 3 years). Results. Logistic regression showed that participants with the lowest cognitive functioning (,25th percentile) had a higher probability of having low levels of specific plasma carotenoids (,1st quartile): lycopene and zeaxanthin. Fo