Correlation of cognitive and masticatory function in Alzheimer's disease.

Objectives: This study investigated chewing function in elderly individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and correlated chewing function with cognitive status.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen elderly individuals with mild AD (mean age 76.7 ± 6.3 years; 8 men, 8 women) and 16 age and gender-matched healthy controls (mean age 75.23 ± 4.4 years; 8 men, 8 women) were included in this study. All volunteers wore removable prostheses: 11 were totally edentulous and five were partially edentulous in each group. Chewing function was evaluated via masticatory performance (MP) using Optocal chewable test material and a sieve fractionation method. Cognitive functioning was assessed by the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), administered by a trained examiner. Data were analyzed by non-paired t test and Pearson's correlation with α = 0.05.

Results: Compared to controls, mild AD patients had decreased MP (P < 0.01) and MMSE (P = 0.01). MP showed a moderate negative correlation with MMSE (r = -0.69).

Conclusions: Mild AD was associated with impaired chewing function.

Clinical Relevance: Knowledge that mild AD has an impact on chewing is important for dental professionals in decision-making related to prosthetics and general dental treatment.