AI Article Synopsis

  • The study explores the relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and deficiencies in vitamin B-12 and folate by comparing levels in AD patients with hospitalized controls and healthy elderly individuals.
  • Results indicate that while vitamin B-12 and folate levels are similar across all groups, AD patients show higher levels of methylmalonic acid (MMA) and total homocysteine (tHcy), with tHcy significantly elevated in AD patients compared to non-demented controls.
  • The findings highlight that assessing vitamin deficiencies in AD is complex and that both dementing and non-dementing elderly individuals can experience significant vitamin B-12 and folate deficiencies.

Article Abstract

Background: It is still unclear whether there is an association between Alzheimer's disease and vitamin B-12 or folate deficiency. This study was designed to investigate whether patients with Alzheimer's disease are particularly prone to metabolically significant cobalamin or folate deficiency as compared to nondemented hospitalized controls and healthy elderly controls living at home.

Methods: Evaluation for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, routine laboratory tests, serum folate and vitamin B-12, serum methylmalonic acid (MMA), total homocysteine (tHcy), and radiological tests was performed in 52 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 50 nondemented hospitalized controls, and 49 healthy elderly subjects living at home.

Results: Serum vitamin B-12 and folate levels are comparable between patients with AD, hospitalized control patients, and subjects living at home. Patients with AD have the highest serum MMA and tHcy levels. The MMA levels of patients with AD and hospitalized controls are not different, but the mean tHcy level is significantly higher in patients with AD as compared to nondemented patients or subjects living at home.

Conclusion: The interpretation of the vitamin B-12 and folate status in patients with AD depends largely on the methodology (i.e., serum vitamin vs metabolite levels) and the selection of the control group. Although patients with AD have the highest tHcy and MMA levels, metabolically significant vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency is also a substantial problem in nondemented elderly patients.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gerona/52a.2.m76DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

vitamin b-12
24
b-12 folate
20
folate deficiency
16
alzheimer's disease
16
patients
12
patients alzheimer's
12
hospitalized controls
12
subjects living
12
elderly patients
8
compared nondemented
8

Similar Publications

Pemetrexed is a folate analog inhibitor for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Prophylactic supplementation with vitamin B and folic acid reduces hematotoxicity associated with pemetrexed. Metformin, the antidiabetic agent, has been associated with the potential side effect of vitamin B deficiency.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Salvage pathway of vitamin B absorption in chickens with mutant tumor virus a receptor.

Poult Sci

December 2024

Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of International Agricultural Technology & Institute of Green Bioscience and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

The tumor virus A receptor (TVA), a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family, serves as an entry receptor for Avian Leukosis Virus (ALV) subgroups A and K, as well as a receptor for vitamin B bound to transcobalamin. Naturally occurring genetic variants in the TVA gene determine susceptibility or resistance to ALV-A and -K, but the effects of these mutated TVA on vitamin B uptake have not been investigated systemically. We found four TVA variants comprising the wild type (TVA), a single nucleotide polymorphism variant (TVA), and two partial deletions in the splicing branch point region (TVA).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Seafood can contribute towards healthy and sustainable food systems by improving public health and helping achieve net zero carbon emissions. Here, we provide a high-resolution perspective on UK seafood supplies and nutrient flows at the species level. We mapped seafood production (capture and aquaculture), trade (imports and exports), purchases (within and out of home) and seafood consumption between 2009 and 2020.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This review provides an analysis of the current literature on the health and nutrition of blood donors, examining key aspects that affect the quality of donated blood and the well-being of donors. The review discusses effective iron absorption facilitated by key nutrients and presents evidence on the importance of a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, such as vitamin B12 and folic acid. The review examines the differences in iron levels between men and women and highlights the role of sex hormones in regulating iron metabolism.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Evans syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the simultaneous or sequential combination of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immunological thrombocytopenia, together with a positive direct antiglobulin test. This syndrome, which can be primary or secondary, is a rare initial manifestation of autoimmune diseases, notably systemic lupus erythematosus, with 1.7-2.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!