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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #198424
Title: HOMOCYSTEINE AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION

Author
item TROEN, ARON - TUFTS/HNRCA
item Rosenberg, Irwin

Submitted to: Seminars in Vascular Medicine
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2005
Publication Date: 5/1/2005
Citation: Troen, A.M., Rosenberg, I.H. 2005. Homocysteine and cognitive function. Seminars in Vascular Medicine. 5 (2):209-14.

Interpretive Summary: The prevention and treatment of age-related cognitive impairment and dementia is one of the greatest and most elusive challenges of our time. The prevalence of dementia increases exponentially with age, as does the prevalence of those with micronutrient deficiency. Several studies have shown that elevated homocysteine is correlated with cognitive decline and with cerebral atrophy and it predicts the subsequent development of dementia in cognitively intact middle-aged and elderly individuals. If elevated homocysteine promotes cognitive dysfunction, then lowering homocysteine by means of B-vitamin supplementation may protect cognitive function by arresting or slowing the disease process.

Technical Abstract: The prevention and treatment of age-related cognitive impairment and dementia is one of the greatest and most elusive challenges of our time. The prevalence of dementia increases exponentially with age, as does the prevalence of those with micronutrient deficiency. Several studies have shown that elevated homocysteine is correlated with cognitive decline and with cerebral atrophy and it predicts the subsequent development of dementia in cognitively intact middle-aged and elderly individuals. If elevated homocysteine promotes cognitive dysfunction, then lowering homocysteine by means of B-vitamin supplementation may protect cognitive function by arresting or slowing the disease process.