Trace elements and cognitions in elderly population: a case–control study

Abstract

There have been almost no studies with trace elements and psychological battery in cognitively impaired elderly individuals. Such research is crucial to enhance diagnostic accuracy. We aim to identify significant differences in blood serum concentration levels of trace elements, Hindi Mini-Mental State Examination (HMMSE), and psychological battery as Hindi Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (HMDRS) scores between case and control groups in the elderly. A cross-sectional research design was conducted with a total of 240 subjects, comprising 120 each from the case and control groups. Trace elements were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. HMMSE and HMDRS tests were administered to assess cognition scores. The chi-square test, t-test, and appropriate statistics were utilized. Our findings indicate significant differences in demographic factors (age, gender, education level) and clinical levels (p <.001), while caste, habitat, and marital status were not significant (p <.05). Concentration levels of Iron (Fe) and Copper (Cu) was higher, Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr), and Selenium (Se) were lower, significantly different (p <.001), but Magnesium (Mg) was not (p <.05). Additionally, third HMMSE and HMDRS were significant (p <.001) between the case and control groups in the elderly. The study suggested that higher levels of Fe and Cu, while lower Zn, Cr, and Se blood serum concentrations increased the risk of cognitive impairments in the elderly population, demonstrated by the HMMSE and HMDRS test scores which were lower in the case group. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2025.