Metabolites and 12‐Year Cognitive Measures Among a Cohort of Boston Area Puerto Ricans

Background Recent studies have identified plasma metabolites associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease; however, little research on this topic has been conducted in Latinos, especially Puerto Ricans. This study aims to add to the growing body of metabolomics research in Latinos to better understand and improve the health of this population. Method We assessed the association between plasma metabolites and global cognition, as well as memory and executive function component scores, over 12 y of follow‐up in 736 participants of the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS). Metabolites were measured with untargeted metabolomic profiling (Metabolon, Inc) at baseline. We used covariable adjusted linear mixed models (LMM) with a metabolite*time interaction term to identify metabolites (of 621 measured) associated with ∼12y cognitive trajectory. Result We observed strong inverse associations between medium‐chain fatty acids, caproic acid, and the dicarboxylic acids, azelaic and sebacic acid, with global cognition and memory. Metabolites on the tyrosine and tryptophan pathways as well as several phospholipids, were associated with improvement in cognitive trajectory. We also observed an association between glucose and taurocholate, a primary bile acid, and worse executive function trajectory. Conclusion The metabolites identified in this study are generally consistent with prior literature and highlight a role for tryptophan, bile acid, branched chain amino acid, phospholipid and glucose metabolism in cognitive decline.