Association between serum tricosanoic acid and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the NHANES and GEO databases

IntroductionWith global aging, dementia prevalence rises. While long-chain saturated fatty acids show anti-cognitive decline potential, serum tricosanoic acid (C23:0)’s role in brain regions and cognition remains unclear.MethodsTo confirm the association between C23:0 and cognition in the population...

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Main Authors: Ti Yang, Yue Zhang, Zeen Cai, Ying Wang, Shengqiong Deng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1534303/full
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author Ti Yang
Yue Zhang
Zeen Cai
Ying Wang
Shengqiong Deng
author_facet Ti Yang
Yue Zhang
Zeen Cai
Ying Wang
Shengqiong Deng
author_sort Ti Yang
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionWith global aging, dementia prevalence rises. While long-chain saturated fatty acids show anti-cognitive decline potential, serum tricosanoic acid (C23:0)’s role in brain regions and cognition remains unclear.MethodsTo confirm the association between C23:0 and cognition in the population, we analyzed gene expression data from the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain gene chip data set (GSE118553) available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Additionally, we examined data from 1,127 adults aged 60 years and older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2011 and 2014. To explore potential metabolic pathways and mechanisms linking C23:0 to cognitive aging, the computational platform METAFlux was employed.ResultsDifferential gene expression analysis identified 335 downregulated and 477 upregulated genes in AD frontal cortex. Metabolite analysis showed 20 upregulated and 37 downregulated nutrients (including C23:0) in AD vs. controls. Population-level analysis (NHANES, n = 1,127) confirmed higher serum C23:0 associated with better cognitive function.DiscussionThis study provides strong evidence for frontal cortex-specific reduced C23:0 in AD and highlights its potential as a serum cognitive marker.
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spelling doaj-art-a093151eba844eee9742b6323bdb60ec2025-08-20T01:49:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience1663-43652025-03-011710.3389/fnagi.2025.15343031534303Association between serum tricosanoic acid and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the NHANES and GEO databasesTi Yang0Yue Zhang1Zeen Cai2Ying Wang3Shengqiong Deng4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Gongli Hospital of Shanghai Pudong New Area, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Jimo People’s Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Gongli Hospital Medical Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai Health Commission Key Lab of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Management of Inflammation and Chronic Diseases, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Gongli Hospital of Shanghai Pudong New Area, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai Health Commission Key Lab of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Management of Inflammation and Chronic Diseases, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Gongli Hospital of Shanghai Pudong New Area, Shanghai, ChinaIntroductionWith global aging, dementia prevalence rises. While long-chain saturated fatty acids show anti-cognitive decline potential, serum tricosanoic acid (C23:0)’s role in brain regions and cognition remains unclear.MethodsTo confirm the association between C23:0 and cognition in the population, we analyzed gene expression data from the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain gene chip data set (GSE118553) available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Additionally, we examined data from 1,127 adults aged 60 years and older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2011 and 2014. To explore potential metabolic pathways and mechanisms linking C23:0 to cognitive aging, the computational platform METAFlux was employed.ResultsDifferential gene expression analysis identified 335 downregulated and 477 upregulated genes in AD frontal cortex. Metabolite analysis showed 20 upregulated and 37 downregulated nutrients (including C23:0) in AD vs. controls. Population-level analysis (NHANES, n = 1,127) confirmed higher serum C23:0 associated with better cognitive function.DiscussionThis study provides strong evidence for frontal cortex-specific reduced C23:0 in AD and highlights its potential as a serum cognitive marker.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1534303/fullAlzheimer’s disease (AD)tricosanoic acidGEONHANESolder adults
spellingShingle Ti Yang
Yue Zhang
Zeen Cai
Ying Wang
Shengqiong Deng
Association between serum tricosanoic acid and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the NHANES and GEO databases
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
tricosanoic acid
GEO
NHANES
older adults
title Association between serum tricosanoic acid and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the NHANES and GEO databases
title_full Association between serum tricosanoic acid and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the NHANES and GEO databases
title_fullStr Association between serum tricosanoic acid and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the NHANES and GEO databases
title_full_unstemmed Association between serum tricosanoic acid and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the NHANES and GEO databases
title_short Association between serum tricosanoic acid and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the NHANES and GEO databases
title_sort association between serum tricosanoic acid and cognitive function in older adults findings from the nhanes and geo databases
topic Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
tricosanoic acid
GEO
NHANES
older adults
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1534303/full
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