AJCN Tufts Nutrition Symposium, Boston & Online Sept 2009
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow An erratum has been published
Right arrow Purchase Article
Right arrow View Shopping Cart
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Duthie, S. J
Right arrow Articles by Deary, I. J
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Duthie, S. J
Right arrow Articles by Deary, I. J
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Duthie, S. J
Right arrow Articles by Deary, I. J
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 75, No. 5, 908-913, May 2002
© 2002 American Society for Clinical Nutrition

Original Research Communication

Homocysteine, B vitamin status, and cognitive function in the elderly1,2,3

Susan J Duthie, Lawrence J Whalley, Andrew R Collins, Steve Leaper, Kerstin Berger and Ian J Deary

1 From the Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, United Kingdom (SJD, ARC, and KB); the Clinical Research Center, Department of Mental Health, University of Aberdeen, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen, United Kingdom (LJW and SL); and the Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh (IJD).

Background: Old age is associated with reduced cognitive performance. Nutritional factors may contribute to this association.

Objective: We tested associations between cognitive performance and plasma vitamin B-12, folate, and homocysteine concentrations in the elderly.

Design: We studied survivors of the Scottish Mental Surveys of 1932 (Aberdeen 1921 Birth Cohort, or ABC21) and 1947 (Aberdeen 1936 Birth Cohort, or ABC36), which surveyed childhood intelligence quotient. We measured folate, vitamin B-12, and homocysteine concentrations in fasting blood samples and cognitive performance by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), National Adult Reading Test (NART), Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), digit symbol (DS) subtest, and block design (BD) subtest.

Results: Homocysteine was higher in the ABC21 than in the ABC36 (P < 0.0001). There were positive correlations between folate and vitamin B-12 and negative correlations between homocysteine and both folate and vitamin B-12. MMSE, RPM, AVLT, DS, and BD scores were higher in the ABC36. In the ABC21, folate, vitamin B-12, and MMSE score were positively correlated and homocysteine was negatively correlated with RPM, DS, and BD scores. Folic acid was positively correlated with AVLT and DS scores. In the ABC36, folate was positively correlated with BD score. After adjustment for childhood intelligence quotient, partial correlations were strengthened between vitamin B-12 and NART score and between homocysteine and RPM score but weakened between red blood cell folate and DS score.

Conclusions: B vitamins and homocysteine are associated with cognitive variation in old age. In the ABC21 but not the ABC36, homocysteine accounted for {approx}7–8% of the variance in cognitive performance. This may prove relevant to the design of neuroprotective studies in late life.

Key Words: Folate • vitamin B-12 • homocysteine • cognition • elderly • community-based survey • Scottish Mental Survey




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
A. L Frith, R. T Naved, E.-C. Ekstrom, K. M Rasmussen, and E. A Frongillo
Micronutrient supplementation affects maternal-infant feeding interactions and maternal distress in Bangladesh
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2009; 90(1): 141 - 148.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
L. Feng, J. Li, K.-B. Yap, E.-H. Kua, and T.-P. Ng
Vitamin B-12, apolipoprotein E genotype, and cognitive performance in community-living older adults: evidence of a gene-micronutrient interaction
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2009; 89(4): 1263 - 1268.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 NeurologyHome page
A. Vogiatzoglou, H. Refsum, C. Johnston, S. M. Smith, K. M. Bradley, C. de Jager, M. M. Budge, and A. D. Smith
Vitamin B12 status and rate of brain volume loss in community-dwelling elderly
Neurology, September 9, 2008; 71(11): 826 - 832.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Am. Coll. Nutr.Home page
C. Merete, L. M. Falcon, and K. L. Tucker
Vitamin B6 Is Associated with Depressive Symptomatology in Massachusetts Elders
J. Am. Coll. Nutr., June 1, 2008; 27(3): 421 - 427.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
J. Selhub, M. S. Morris, and P. F. Jacques
In vitamin B12 deficiency, higher serum folate is associated with increased total homocysteine and methylmalonic acid concentrations
PNAS, December 11, 2007; 104(50): 19995 - 20000.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
R. Clarke, J. Birks, E. Nexo, P. M Ueland, J. Schneede, J. Scott, A. Molloy, and J. G. Evans
Low vitamin B-12 status and risk of cognitive decline in older adults
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2007; 86(5): 1384 - 1391.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
C. M Pfeiffer, C. L Johnson, R. B Jain, E. A Yetley, M. F. Picciano, J. I Rader, K. D Fisher, J. Mulinare, and J. D Osterloh
Trends in blood folate and vitamin B-12 concentrations in the United States, 1988 2004
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2007; 86(3): 718 - 727.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
M. S. Morris, P. F Jacques, I. H Rosenberg, and J. Selhub
Folate and vitamin B-12 status in relation to anemia, macrocytosis, and cognitive impairment in older Americans in the age of folic acid fortification
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 2007; 85(1): 193 - 200.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
L. Feng, T.-P. Ng, L. Chuah, M. Niti, and E.-H. Kua
Homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 and cognitive performance in older Chinese adults: findings from the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2006; 84(6): 1506 - 1512.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Am. Coll. Nutr.Home page
M. Tettamanti, M. T. Garri, A. Nobili, E. Riva, and U. Lucca
Low Folate and the Risk of Cognitive and Functional Deficits in the Very Old: The Monzino 80-plus Study
J. Am. Coll. Nutr., December 1, 2006; 25(6): 502 - 508.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Psychosom. Med.Home page
M. F. Elias, M. A. Robbins, M. M. Budge, P. K. Elias, S. L. Brennan, C. Johnston, Z. Nagy, and C. J. Bates
Homocysteine, Folate, and Vitamins B6 and B12 Blood Levels in Relation to Cognitive Performance: The Maine-Syracuse Study
Psychosom Med, July 1, 2006; 68(4): 547 - 554.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 NEJMHome page
J. A. McMahon, T. J. Green, C. M. Skeaff, R. G. Knight, J. I. Mann, and S. M. Williams
A controlled trial of homocysteine lowering and cognitive performance.
N. Engl. J. Med., June 29, 2006; 354(26): 2764 - 2772.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical SciencesHome page
R. D. Semba, B. Bartali, J. Zhou, C. Blaum, C.-W. Ko, and L. P. Fried
Low serum micronutrient concentrations predict frailty among older women living in the community.
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., June 1, 2006; 61(6): 594 - 599.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical SciencesHome page
E. Michelon, C. Blaum, R. D. Semba, Q.-L. Xue, M. O. Ricks, and L. P. Fried
Vitamin and carotenoid status in older women: associations with the frailty syndrome.
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., June 1, 2006; 61(6): 600 - 607.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
M. I Ramos, L. H Allen, D. M Mungas, W. J Jagust, M. N Haan, R. Green, and J. W Miller
Low folate status is associated with impaired cognitive function and dementia in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2005; 82(6): 1346 - 1352.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am J EpidemiolHome page
M. F. Elias, L. M. Sullivan, R. B. D'Agostino, P. K. Elias, P. F. Jacques, J. Selhub, S. Seshadri, R. Au, A. Beiser, and P. A. Wolf
Homocysteine and Cognitive Performance in the Framingham Offspring Study: Age Is Important
Am. J. Epidemiol., October 1, 2005; 162(7): 644 - 653.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical SciencesHome page
H.-K. Kuo, F. A. Sorond, J.-H. Chen, A. Hashmi, W. P. Milberg, and L. A. Lipsitz
The Role of Homocysteine in Multisystem Age-Related Problems: A Systematic Review
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., September 1, 2005; 60(9): 1190 - 1201.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
C. M Pfeiffer, S. P Caudill, E. W Gunter, J. Osterloh, and E. J Sampson
Biochemical indicators of B vitamin status in the US population after folic acid fortification: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, August 1, 2005; 82(2): 442 - 450.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
C. Lewerin, M. Matousek, G. Steen, B. Johansson, B. Steen, and H. Nilsson-Ehle
Significant correlations of plasma homocysteine and serum methylmalonic acid with movement and cognitive performance in elderly subjects but no improvement from short-term vitamin therapy: a placebo-controlled randomized study
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2005; 81(5): 1155 - 1162.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch NeurolHome page
M. C. Morris, D. A. Evans, J. L. Bienias, C. C. Tangney, L. E. Hebert, P. A. Scherr, and J. A. Schneider
Dietary Folate and Vitamin B12 Intake and Cognitive Decline Among Community-Dwelling Older Persons
Arch Neurol, April 1, 2005; 62(4): 641 - 645.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurol. Neurosurg. PsychiatryHome page
J M Starr, A Pattie, M C Whiteman, I J Deary, and L J Whalley
Vitamin B-12, serum folate, and cognitive change between 11 and 79 years
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, February 1, 2005; 76(2): 291 - 292.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical SciencesHome page
A. Garcia, Y. Haron, K. Pulman, L. Hua, and M. Freedman
Increases in Homocysteine Are Related to Worsening of Stroop Scores in Healthy Elderly Persons: A Prospective Follow-Up Study
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., December 1, 2004; 59(12): 1323 - 1327.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am J EpidemiolHome page
H. Chen, S. M. Zhang, M. A. Schwarzschild, M. A. Hernan, G. Logroscino, W. C. Willett, and A. Ascherio
Folate Intake and Risk of Parkinson's Disease
Am. J. Epidemiol., August 15, 2004; 160(4): 368 - 375.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 NeurologyHome page
C. B. Wright, H. -S. Lee, M. C. Paik, S. P. Stabler, R. H. Allen, and R. L. Sacco
Total homocysteine and cognition in a tri-ethnic cohort: The Northern Manhattan Study
Neurology, July 27, 2004; 63(2): 254 - 260.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
P. Quadri, C. Fragiacomo, R. Pezzati, E. Zanda, G. Forloni, M. Tettamanti, and U. Lucca
Homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 in mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer disease, and vascular dementia
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2004; 80(1): 114 - 122.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical SciencesHome page
A. D. Dangour, V. L. Sibson, and A. E. Fletcher
Hormones and Supplements: Do They Work?: Micronutrient Supplementation in Later Life: Limited Evidence for Benefit
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., July 1, 2004; 59(7): B659 - B673.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Clin. Chem.Home page
H. Refsum, A. D. Smith, P. M. Ueland, E. Nexo, R. Clarke, J. McPartlin, C. Johnston, F. Engbaek, J. Schneede, C. McPartlin, et al.
Facts and Recommendations about Total Homocysteine Determinations: An Expert Opinion
Clin. Chem., January 1, 2004; 50(1): 3 - 32.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
S. P Stabler
Vitamins, homocysteine, and cognition
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2003; 78(3): 359 - 360.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
J. W Miller, R. Green, M. I Ramos, L. H Allen, D. M Mungas, W. J Jagust, and M. N Haan
Homocysteine and cognitive function in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2003; 78(3): 441 - 447.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Nutr.Home page
B. N. Ames
The Metabolic Tune-Up: Metabolic Harmony and Disease Prevention
J. Nutr., May 1, 2003; 133(5): 1544S - 1548.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 NeurologyHome page
J. W. Miller, J. Selhub, M. R. Nadeau, C. A. Thomas, R. G. Feldman, and P. A. Wolf
Effect of L-dopa on plasma homocysteine in PD patients: Relationship to B-vitamin status
Neurology, April 8, 2003; 60(7): 1125 - 1129.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
G. Ravaglia, P. Forti, F. Maioli, A. Muscari, L. Sacchetti, G. Arnone, V. Nativio, T. Talerico, and E. Mariani
Homocysteine and cognitive function in healthy elderly community dwellers in Italy
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2003; 77(3): 668 - 673.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Am. Coll. Nutr.Home page
G. C. Rampersaud, G. P.A. Kauwell, and L. B. Bailey
Folate: A Key to Optimizing Health and Reducing Disease Risk in the Elderly
J. Am. Coll. Nutr., February 1, 2003; 22(1): 1 - 8.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Br. J. PsychiatryHome page
L. J. WHALLEY
Brain ageing and dementia: what makes the difference?
The British Journal of Psychiatry, November 1, 2002; 181(5): 369 - 371.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
A D. Smith
Homocysteine, B vitamins, and cognitive deficit in the elderly
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2002; 75(5): 785 - 786.
[Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2002 by The American Society for Nutrition