title: Short-term folate, vitamin B-12 or vitamin B-6 supplementation slightly affects memory performance but not mood in women of various ages.
abstract: Based on research demonstrating associations between folate, B-12 and B-6 vitamins and cognition and mood, we investigated the effects of short-term supplementation in 211 healthy younger, middle-aged and older women who took either 750 microg of folate, 15 microg of vitamin B-12, 75 mg of vitamin B-6 or a placebo daily for 35 d. In addition, we examined associations between dietary intake of these vitamins and cognition and mood. Usual dietary intake status was estimated using a retrospective, self-report, quantified food frequency questionnaire. Participants completed alternate forms of standardized tests of cognitive processing resources, memory, executive function, verbal ability and self-report mood measures before and after supplementation. Supplementation had a significant positive effect on some measures of memory performance only, and no effect on mood. Dietary intake status was associated with speed of processing, recall and recognition and verbal ability.
authors.affiliation: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Health Sciences and Nutrition, Kintore Avenue, Adelaide, 5000 Australia.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bryan
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calvaresi
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000502:physiology; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12