Zinc, Copper, Antioxidants Do Not Affect Cognition in Elderly

SAN FRANCISCO--Researchers from the University of California studied the effects of antioxidant, zinc and copper supplementation on cognition in elderly subjects. The randomized, controlled trial, published in the Nov. 9 issue of Neurology (63, 9:1705-7, 2004) (www.neurology.org), involved 2,166 elderly participants in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). The participants were randomly assigned to receive daily antioxidants as 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU (international units) vitamin E and 15 mg beta-carotene; 80 mg zinc and 2 mg copper (cupric oxide); antioxidants plus zinc and copper; or placebo. A cognitive battery was administered to the participants after a median of 6.9 years of treatment. Treatment groups did not differ on any of the six cognitive tests. The scientists concluded these results do not support a beneficial or harmful effect of antioxidants or zinc and copper on cognition in older adults.