Vitamin B supplements could delay onset of Alzheimer's

September, 2010

Vitamin B supplements markedly reduced brain atrophy in older adults with MCI, offering hope that they may be effective in delaying the development of Alzheimer’s.

A two-year study involving 271 older adults (70+) with mild cognitive impairment has found that the rate of brain atrophy in those taking folic acid (0.8 mg/d), vitamin B12 (0.5 mg/d) and vitamin B6 (20 mg/d), was significantly slower than in those taking a placebo, with those taking the supplements experiencing on average 30% less brain atrophy. Higher rates of atrophy were associated with lower cognitive performance. Moreover those who with the highest levels of homocysteine at the beginning of the trial benefited the most, with 50% less brain shrinkage. High levels of homocysteine are a risk factor for Alzheimer’s, and folate, B12 and B6 help regulate it.

The finding that atrophy can be slowed in those with MCI offers hope that the treatment could delay the development of Alzheimer’s, since MCI is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s, and faster brain atrophy is typical of those who go on to develop Alzheimer’s.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/sep/08/vitamin-b-could-delay...

Reference:

[1826] Smith, D. A., Smith S. M., de Jager C. A., Whitbread P., Johnston C., Agacinski G., et al.
(2010). Homocysteine-Lowering by B Vitamins Slows the Rate of Accelerated Brain Atrophy in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
PLoS ONE. 5(9), e12244 - e12244.

seniors

Alzheimers

Related News

Alzheimer's memory problems originate with oligomers not plaques

While everyone agrees that amyloid-beta protein is part of the problem, not everyone agrees that amyloid plaques are the cause (or one of them) of Alzheimer’s. Other forms of amyloid-beta have been pointed to, including floating clumps called oligomers or ADDLs.

More evidence for benefits of Rapamycin

A few months ago, I reported on an exciting finding that

New guideline on when people with Alzheimer's disease should stop driving

The American Academy of Neurology has updated its guidelines on when people with dementia should stop driving.

New gene associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's

Another gene has been identified that appears to increase risk of Alzheimer’s. The gene, MTHFD1L, is located on chromosome six.

Losing muscle mass early sign of Alzheimer’s

Previous research has found that unexplained weight loss is an early sign of Alzheimer's.

Memory problems not the only predictor of later mild cognitive impairment

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment often leads to Alzheimer's disease, but what predicts aMCI?

Apple juice improves behavior in Alzheimer's patients

A pilot study involving 21 institutionalized individuals with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s found that, although drinking two 4-oz glasses of apple juice daily for a month produced no change in the Dementia Rating Scale or in the Activities of Daily Living measure, there was a significant (27%)

TMS improves language comprehension in Alzheimer's sufferers

A pilot study involving 10 patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease, of whom half were randomly assigned to the treatment, has found that two weeks of receiving daily (25 minute) periods of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to the prefrontal

Common Alzheimer's medication helps skills necessary for safe driving

A study involving outpatients with early stage Alzheimer’s found that their performance on some computerized tests of executive function and visual attention, including a simulated driving task, improved significantly after three months of taking

Cognitive ability, not age, predicts risky decisions

A study involving 54 older adults (66-76) and 58 younger adults (18-35) challenges the idea that age itself causes people to become more risk-averse and to make poorer decisions.

Pages