Affiliations: [a] Department of Physiology & Biochemistry, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan | [b] Medical students, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Eman Al-khateeb, MBChB, MSc, PhD, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, P.O. Box 13490, Amman 11942, Jordan. Tel.: +962 6 5355000 23479; Fax: +962 6 5300820; E-mails: profemanalkhateeb@yahoo.com; e.alkhateeb@ju.edu.jo.
Note: [1] These authors contributed equally.
Abstract: The purpose of the current study was to examine the association of serum copper and lipid concentrations with changes in cognitive function in elderly Jordanian individuals. The study population consisted of two groups: 52 dementia patients and 50 control subjects. All individuals were screened using the Mini-Mental State Examination and Clock Drawing Test. Serum copper and lipid profile were also assessed. Results were statistically evaluated at p < 0.05 level of significance. The dementia group had 10.1% higher copper level than control subjects that was not statistically significant. No significant differences could be found between the two groups in lipid profile levels. There was no significant correlation between serum copper, lipid profile, and cognitive decline in elderly Jordanians. Demographic variables indicated that educational level less than 12 years and illiterate demonstrated a 3.29 fold (p = 0.026) and 6.29 fold (p = 0.002) increase in risk of developing dementia, respectively. Coffee intake demonstrated a protective effect against cognitive decline with 6.25 fold lower risk with increased coffee intake.
