How’s Your Uric Acid?

Johns Hopkins and Yale scientists have examined the possible link between serum uric acid and mental functioning (cognitive decline) in older people. Reporting in the journal Neuropsychology, they describe their findings in 100 community-dwelling adults over 60. Those with uric acid levels they describe as ‘mildly elevated’ – at the high end of the normal range – were found to have more mental problems, as shown by tests of speed of thought, verbal and working memory, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. This association persisted even after adjustments were made for possible interfering factors, e.g. age, sex, weight, race, education level, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and alcohol use. The high-normal levels used for this study were 5.8 to 7.6 mg/dL for men and 4.8 to 7.1 mg/dL for women.

Why is this so? It may be that high uric acid levels represent kidney disorders, which are known to increase the risk of mental functioning problems. The authors of the study speculate that drugs that reduce uric acid levels, such as allopurinol, may help older people with cognitive problems. At any rate, the serum uric acid level may serve as a valuable ‘marker’ or indicator for very early mental functioning (cognitive) problems in old age. Not just gout!