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Aging and Chronic Disease (Poster Session)

(P22-021-25) Dietary Fatty Acid Profile and Memory in Middle-Aged Women With Prediabetes: A Case Series

Monday, June 2, 2025
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM ET
Location: Poster Board B-45
Disclosure(s):
Sasha K. Fernandes, MSc: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Cameron M. McCarthy, MS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Lovia Appiah, B.S.: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: High intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been linked to enhanced cognition while high intake of saturated fats and cholesterol is associated with cognitive impairment. Women with prediabetes are at a higher risk of developing learning and memory impairments. Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the dietary fatty acid profile and cognitive abilities of middle-aged women with prediabetes.

Methods: Demographic, anthropometric, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) data were assessed. The 3-day food records were used to collect dietary intake which were analyzed using Food Processor v11.11 (Esha Research). Participants completed the following cognitive function tests: NIH Toolbox v3 Oral Reading Recognition (ORR; word reading), Picture Vocabulary (PV; receptive vocabulary), Picture Sequence Memory (PSM; episodic memory), and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT).

Results: Four enrolled women, age median: 56.5 y (IQR: 55.5 -58.5), BMI median: 26 kg/m2 (IQR: 24-28), FBG median: 105 mg/dL (IQR: 102-115), performed within or above normative scores on the ORR, PV, and RAVLT attention trial (T1). Participant A showed impaired immediate memory (PSM z = - 2.13 and RAVLT Trial 6 z = -2.1) and delayed verbal recall (RAVLT z = -1.7) and recognition (15 hits and 3 false positives). The other three participants showed no impairment. Interestingly, participant A had the lowest intake of PUFA, below the recommendation of 10-28 g and the highest cholesterol intake (512 mg), above the recommended intake of < 300 mg. PUFA and cholesterol intake for the other three participants were within the recommended range. Except for Participant D, all participants exceeded the recommendation for saturated fat (10% of total energy intake).

Conclusions: Our data indicate that low intake of PUFAs along with a high intake of cholesterol may be associated with impaired cognitive abilities in middle-aged women with prediabetes. Though, a larger sample size is needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Funding Sources: Georgia State University Brains & Behavior Seed Grant