A study of serum magnesium, calcium and phosphorus level, and cognition in the elderly population of South India

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Alexandria Journal of Medicine, Volume 52, Issue 4
Author(s): M.P. Basheer, K.M. Pradeep Kumar, E. Sreekumaran, T. Ramakrishna
IntroductionDifferent studies have shown the role of micro and macronutrients on cognitive function. Macronutrients have been involved in many metabolic activities of the body including oxidation and reduction reactions in the central nervous system. This involvement of macronutrients in the activities of central nervous system indicates its role in cognition. The present study is designed to know the role of macronutrients and its relation with cognition by using biological samples.Materials and methodsA total of 337 subjects with a mean age of 49 participated in the cross sectional study from different parts of Kerala state in India. Individuals participating in this study were administered a series of neuropsychological test batteries with major emphasis on 7-min screen test. All test procedures were administered by standard protocol after a written consent was obtained from the participating subjects. Analysis of macronutrients level of magnesium, calcium and phosphorus was done by using serum samples and the data obtained were then statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 17.ResultsThe macronutrients magnesium, calcium and phosphorus were found to be significantly related to the cognitive score. Increasing magnesium and calcium level was associated with higher cognitive score (P<0.0031 and 0.001 respectively), while lower phosphorus level was significantly associated with lower composite score (P<0.001).ConclusionThe results of our study give us an expression that macronutrients such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus may be associated with cognitive function in elderly population of our state. But further studies on a larger population are required to come out with a definite conclusion.



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