Indication: Cognition in the elderly

Source: Neurology, November 2004;63(9):1705-7.

Research: Participants in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) were randomly assigned to receive daily antioxidants (vitamin C, 500 mg; vitamin E, 400 IU; beta-carotene, 15 mg), zinc and copper (zinc, 80 mg; cupric oxide, 2 mg), antioxidants plus zinc and copper, or placebo. A cognitive battery was administered to 2166 elderly persons after a median of 6.9 years of treatment.

Results: Treatment groups did not differ on any of the six cognitive tests. These results do not support a beneficial or harmful effect of antioxidants or zinc and copper on cognition in older adults.