Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2021 Oct 19;23(12):180.
doi: 10.1007/s11886-021-01615-y.

Metabolic Syndrome and Cognitive Function

Mouna Tahmi  1 , Priya Palta  2   3 , José A Luchsinger  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Metabolic Syndrome and Cognitive Function

Mouna Tahmi et al. Curr Cardiol Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular disease risk factors that are related to several adverse health outcomes, including poor cognitive function. This review seeks to summarize and critically review select recent findings on the association between MetS and cognition.

Recent findings: MetS was associated with lower domain-specific and global cognitive function in most cross-sectional studies, but findings from longitudinal studies are not consistent. The associations varied depending on age, sex, cognitive test, genetic susceptibility, and the duration of follow-up in prospective studies. MetS was associated with a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and progression from MCI to dementia, particularly vascular dementia. Among MetS components, high blood pressure, high waist circumference, and hyperglycemia were the strongest predictors of cognitive function. MetS is associated with higher risk of cognitive impairment. Research is needed on how preventing or treating MetS affects cognition.

Keywords: Cardiovascular risk factor; Cognition; Cognitive impairment; Dementia; Metabolic syndrome.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance
    1. Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimers Dement. 2021;17(3):327–406. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12328 . - DOI
    1. Karr JE, Graham RB, Hofer SM, Muniz-Terrera G. When does cognitive decline begin? A systematic review of change point studies on accelerated decline in cognitive and neurological outcomes preceding mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and death. Psychol Aging. 2018;33(2):195–218. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000236 . - DOI - PubMed - PMC
    1. Rochlani Y, Pothineni NV, Kovelamudi S, Mehta JL. Metabolic syndrome: pathophysiology, management, and modulation by natural compounds. Ther Adv Cardiovasc Dis. 2017;11(8):215–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1753944717711379 . - DOI - PubMed - PMC
    1. Huang PL. A comprehensive definition for metabolic syndrome. Dis Model Mech. 2009;2(5–6):231–7. https://doi.org/10.1242/dmm.001180 . - DOI - PubMed - PMC
    1. Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Daniels SR, Donato KA, Eckel RH, Franklin BA, et al. Diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome: an American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Scientific Statement. Circulation. 2005;112(17):2735–52. - DOI

Publication types