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. 2023;92(1):285-294.
doi: 10.3233/JAD-220920.

Effect of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors on Processing Speed and Executive Function in Three Racialized Groups

Shenikqua Bouges  1   2   3 , Barbara L Fischer  1   4 , Derek L Norton  5 , Mary F Wyman  1   3   6 , Nickolas Lambrou  1   2 , Megan Zuelsdorff  3   7   8 , Carol A Van Hulle  2   3 , Gilda E Ennis  2   3 , Taryn T James  2   3 , Adrienne L Johnson  1   9 , Nathaniel A Chin  2   3 , Cynthia M Carlsson  1   2   3   7 , Carey E Gleason  1   2   3
Affiliations

Effect of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors on Processing Speed and Executive Function in Three Racialized Groups

Shenikqua Bouges et al. J Alzheimers Dis. 2023.

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Understanding the association of MetS risk factors to processing speed and executive function in the pre-clinical stages of ADRD in under-represented groups would offer insight on potential mechanisms through which MetS associates with ADRD risk.

Objective: Examine association of MetS features and processing speed and executive function across three racial groups.

Methods: Cognitively unimpaired adults from the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Prevention completed blood-draws and neuropsychological testing. Six cognitive outcomes were assessed in association to MetS risk factors: Trailmaking Tests A and B, Animal Fluency, Digit Symbol, and composite scores for Processing Speed and Executive Function. Linear mixed effect models were used to assess the relationship between MetS risk factor count and longitudinal cognitive performance across three racialized groups.

Results: Participant sample sizes varied by outcome analyzed (N = 714-1,088). African American and Native American groups exhibited higher rates of MetS than non-Hispanic Whites. MetS was associated with processing speed and executive function across all racialized groups. Three-way interaction by racialized group was limited to one cognitive outcome: Trailmaking Test A.

Conclusion: Metabolic dysfunction incrementally affects cognitive trajectory, with generally similar associations across racial groups. Since racialized groups exhibit higher levels of both MetS and ADRD, MetS may represent a driving factor for increased ADRD risk experience by racialized group and an important and modifiable target through which to reduce risk of ADRD.

Keywords: African Americans; Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias; American Indian; Black; Native American; metabolic syndrome; race; racialized groups.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

The authors have no conflict of interest to report.

Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
BAR CHART OF METABOLIC SYNDROME RISK FACTORS BY RACE
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.
3-WAY INTERACTION Between Performance on TRAILS MAKING TEST-A by # Metabolic Risk Factors by Racialized group, with annotated slopes. Estimation performed for females with 16 years of education (gender mode and education median of the data).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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