Faculty Sponsor

Jana Stedman

College

College of Nursing & Health Professions (CONHP)

Department/Program

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Summer 7-23-2025

Abstract

Objective: This literature review explores the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and neurocognitive decline. It assesses both the individual effects of components such as insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity, as well as their combined impact on cognitive function. The goal is to inform clinical strategies aimed at early intervention and reducing the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.

Methods: A literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted to examine associations between MetS and neurocognitive decline. PubMed searches for “(metabolic syndrome) AND (dementia)” and “(diabetes) AND (dementia)” returned 59 and 587 results since 2019. Google Scholar searches using terms like “Alzheimer’s and obesity” and “metabolic syndrome and dementia” yielded 16,700 to 23,300 hits. Inclusion criteria were human studies in English published since 2019, with full-text access and focus on at least one MetS component: obesity, hypertension, low HDL, high triglycerides, or elevated glucose. Studies were excluded if they were published before 2019, lacked full-text access, or focused solely on metabolically healthy individuals.

Results: Findings indicate that MetS and several of its components are associated with increased risk of neurocognitive decline. Hyperglycemia, hypertension, and low HDL cholesterol showed the strongest links. Evidence regarding triglycerides and central obesity was mixed. The presence of more than three MetS components appeared to compound the risk.

Conclusion: MetS as a unified diagnosis is consistently linked to cognitive decline. Insulin resistance, hypertension, and low HDL emerged as key risk factors. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing metabolic dysfunction in preventive cognitive health strategies.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Brady Glidden is a physician assistant student at Valparaiso University, graduating in July 2025. He developed a strong interest in metabolic and cardiovascular health during his clinical training, recognizing their critical role in chronic disease. His favorite rotation, interventional cardiology, reinforced his passion for combining acute care with long-term prevention. This project reflects his commitment to addressing the chronic disease epidemic.

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