PURPOSE: To examine relationship between ulam consumption and the working memory and cognitive flexibility among aging adults from low-income households who are more susceptible to cognitive decline.
STUDY TYPE: Cross-sectional.
POPULATION/SUBJECTS: Thirty-two aging adults (45-75 years old).
FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Task-based fMRI, 3.0T, T1 -weighted anatomical images, T2 *-weighted imaging data.
ASSESSMENT: The dietary and ulam consumption were assessed using the respective validated Dietary History and semiquantitative Food Frequency questionnaires. Working memory and cognitive flexibility were evaluated by using neuropsychological batteries (ie, mini-mental state examination [MMSE], Digit Span, and Rey auditory verbal learning test [RAVLT]) and task-based fMRI (N-back and Stroop Color Word Test [SCWT]). Brodmann's areas 9 and 46 were the regions of interest (ROIs) of DLPFC activation.
STATISTICAL TESTS: Multiple linear regression used to understand the relationship between ulam consumption and the working memory and cognitive flexibility, while analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare the difference of working memory and cognitive flexibility among four percentiles of ulam consumption, after age, gender, and education years adjustments. Significance was decided by two-sided, P
PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of CC supplement on brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) among older adults with MCI.
STUDY TYPE: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
POPULATION/SUBJECTS: Twenty older adults with mild cognitive impairment (60-75 years old), 14 of them (70%) were female subjects.
FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A 3.0-T, T1-weighted anatomical images, T2*-weighted imaging data, A single shot, gradient echo-echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence.
ASSESSMENT: All subjects were asked to consume two 500 mg capsules of either CC supplement or placebo (maltodextrin) daily for 12 weeks. Cognitive function was measured using validated neuropsychological tests (i.e. Mini-mental State Examination and Digit Span) and task-based fMRI (N-back and Stroop Color Word Test) at baseline and 12th week. Brodmann's area 9, 46 and anterior cingulate cortex were selected as the regions of interest to define dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in fMRI analysis.
STATISTICAL TESTS: Normality test was performed with the Shapiro-Wilk test. Two-way repeated ANOVA determined the intervention effects of the CC supplementation on brain activity after adjustments for covariates. Significance level at P
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a community-based nationwide cross-sectional study in Malaysia. The data collection period is from July 2023 until September 2023, with a planned sample size of 1296 participants. We use a two-stage proportionate stratified random sampling method to ensure national representativeness. The definition of MetS follows the Harmonised Joint Interim Statement in 2009. A diagnosis of MAFLD is made if a participant has fatty liver, defined as having a Fatty Liver Index ≥60 and has type 2 diabetes, a body mass index ≥23 kg/m2, or ≥2 metabolic risk abnormalities. Complex sample analysis will be conducted, and the disease prevalence will be reported with 95% CIs, unweighted counts and estimated populations.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol has been approved by the Medical Research and Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (NMRR ID-22-02845-GUT). The findings will be disseminated through a formal report, policy brief, scientific publications, conference presentations, social media, print media and stakeholder engagement activities.