Mood and cognition in healthy older European adults: the Zenith study.

Background: The study aim was to determine if state and trait intra-individual measures of everyday affect predict cognitive functioning in healthy older community dwelling European adults (n = 387), aged 55-87 years.

Methods: Participants were recruited from centres in France, Italy and Northern Ireland. Trait level and variability in positive and negative affect (PA and NA) were assessed using self-administered PANAS scales, four times a day for four days.

Predictors of taste acuity in healthy older Europeans.

This study aimed to identify factors associated with taste acuity in healthy older European adults aged 55-87 years, employing a factorial independent design to recruit older adults from centres in France, Italy and United Kingdom. Adults aged 70-87 years (N=387) were recruited in Rome (Italy) (n=108) and Grenoble (France) (n=91) and aged 55-70 years in Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) (n=93) and Clermont-Ferrand (C-F) (France) (n=95). A signal detection theory (SDT) approach was used for detection threshold assessment of the four basic tastes (salt; sweet; bitter; and, sour).

Determinants of serum zinc concentrations in a population of French middle-age subjects (SU.VI.MAX cohort).

Background/objectives: Few studies have been conducted on determinants of serum zinc concentration, especially in France. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between serum zinc concentrations, and age, education, living area and life style in a large sample cohort of French adults.

Subjects/methods: Blood samples were collected after 12-h fasting in French adults (7448 women, 35-65 years old and 4926 men, 45-65 years old) participating to the SUpplementation in AntioXidant VItamins and Minerals cohort at enrolment.

Zinc supplementation does not alter plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12 and red blood cell folate concentrations in French elderly subjects.

Background/aims: In ageing, low folates and vitamin B12 status are frequent and can explain the increase of plasma homocysteine level. Zinc is involved in the folates and vitamin B12 metabolism with opposite actions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of zinc supplementation on homocysteine and vitamin B12 plasma levels as well as red blood cell folate level in French ageing subjects participating in the ZENITH study.