The cognitive health of older adults is a topic of increasing importance as our global population ages. One area of interest is the potential role of multivitamin-mineral supplementation (MVM) in maintaining or even improving cognitive function. However, few randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have explored this topic, and those that have often relied on self-reported measures rather than detailed, in-person neuropsychological assessments.
The COSMOS Study
The COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) sought to address these gaps. COSMOS is a 2×2 factorial RCT investigating the effects of cocoa extract supplements and/or MVM on various health outcomes, including cognitive function. The study included three components: COSMOS-Clinic, which involved detailed in-person cognitive assessments; COSMOS-Mind, which used telephonic-based cognitive assessments; and COSMOS-Web, which utilized computer-based cognitive assessments.
Methodology
In the COSMOS-Clinic component, 573 of the 603 participants completed all cognitive tests at baseline, and 492 completed all cognitive tests at both baseline and the 2-year follow-up. The primary outcome was a global cognitive score, which was an average of z-scores from 11 different tests assessing general cognition, episodic memory, and executive function/attention.
Results
The results from COSMOS-Clinic suggested a potential effect of MVM vs. placebo on improvement in global cognition over two years. More specifically, MVM vs. placebo led to a significant improvement in episodic memory. However, no significant effect was observed in executive function/attention. A meta-analysis of the three COSMOS studies showed significant benefits of MVM on global cognition and episodic memory.
Conclusion
In conclusion, daily MVM compared to placebo showed improvement in global cognition and episodic memory over 2 years among community-dwelling older adults. These findings suggest that MVM could potentially play a role in maintaining cognitive health in older adults. However, more research is needed to confirm these results and to understand the mechanisms behind these effects.
This study represents an important step forward in our understanding of the potential role of MVM in cognitive health. As we continue to age as a population, such research will be increasingly vital to our public health efforts.
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