27.09.11
Vitamin B deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s
Low levels of vitamin B12 have been linked to brain shrinkage and cognitive problems, according to research undertaken in Chicago.
This has implications on whether vitamin B deficiency can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center carried out cognitive tests on a group of 121 people aged over 65, and measured their brain volume with MRI scans and took blood samples to measure their vitamin B12 levels.
They found that people with high levels of markers of low vitamin B12, including homocysteine, methylmalonic acid, cystathionine and 2-methylcitric acid, scored lower on cognitive tests and were more likely to have brain shrinkage.
A lack of vitamin B12 on its own was not found to be a consistent marker for disrupted thinking and brain shrinkage, but a study in Oxford commissioned by Alzheimer’s Research UK found that high doses of vitamin B reduced brain shrinkage in people with mild memory problems.
Dr Simon Ridley, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This study provides further evidence of a link between vitamin B levels, brain shrinkage and cognition. Although this research did not examine whether vitamin B12 and dementia are connected, it does add to the debate on whether vitamin B deficiency may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
“We don’t yet recommend people should stock up on vitamin B supplements, but it’s crucial that we follow up with comprehensive large-scale and long-term trials to see whether vitamin B supplements can protect against Alzheimer’s.
“There are already 820,000 people in the UK affected by dementia, and with a rapidly ageing population, that number is set to grow. We urgently need to find new preventions if we are to head off a dementia crisis, and that means we must invest in research.”
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