Hyperhomocysteinemia in dementia.

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a strong risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease, and elevated serum homocysteine is correlated with vitamin B deficiency. In this pilot study, significantly elevated homocysteine levels were found in patients with Alzheimer's disease as well as in patients with vascular dementia, probably indicating similar pathophysiological pathways. We found significant correlations between low folic acid concentrations as well as high homocysteine concentrations and cognitive decline. Supplementation with folic acid may be an inexpensive way to reduce elevated homocysteine levels in demented patients.

• Authors: F Leblhuber, J Walli, E Artner-Dworzak, K Vrecko, B Widner, G Reibnegger, D Fuchs
• Journal: Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) (J Neural Transm (Vienna)) Vol. 107 Issue 12 Pg. 1469-74 ( 2000) ISSN: 0300-9564 [Print] Austria
• PMID: 11458999 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Homocysteine
• Folic Acid
• Vitamin B 12

Topics

• Aged
• Alzheimer Disease (blood, complications, psychology)
• Cognition Disorders (blood)
• Dementia, Vascular (blood, complications, psychology)
• Female
• Folic Acid (blood)
• Homocysteine (blood)
• Humans
• Hyperhomocysteinemia (blood, complications)
• Male
• Mental Status Schedule
• Pilot Projects
• Reference Values
• Regression Analysis
• Risk Factors
• Vitamin B 12 (blood)