Improvement of cognitive functions after cobalamin/folate supplementation in elderly patients with dementia and elevated plasma homocysteine.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of cobalamin/folate supplementation on cognitive function in elderly patients with dementia.


METHODS
The cobalamin/folate status of the patients was evaluated by measuring plasma homocysteine, serum methylmalonic acid, serum cobalamin and blood folate. Thirty-three patients were studied and repeatedly assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and 'A short cognitive performance test for assessing memory and attention' (SKT) during vitamin substitution.


RESULTS
Patients with mild-moderate dementia and elevated plasma homocysteine levels improved clinically with increased test scores after vitamin substitution, while severely demented patients and patients with normal plasma homocysteine levels did not improve clinically.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma homocysteine may be the best marker for detecting treatable cobalamin/folate deficiency in patients with dementia.
Nilsson
K
K
Department of Psychogeriatrics, Division of Psychiatry, University of Lund, University Hospital, Sweden. karin.nilsson@nc.lund. Itskane.se
Gustafson
L
L
Hultberg
B
B
D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12