title: Minimal hippocampal width relates to plasma homocysteine in community-dwelling older people.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The hippocampus is important for memory. Hippocampal atrophy and higher levels of homocysteine may both predict cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling older people. We tested if higher homocysteine relates to hippocampal thinning in this group.
  
  
  METHODS
  156 community-dwelling volunteers without clinical memory problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured minimal hippocampal widths on magnetic resonance images and homocysteine in plasma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Minimal hippocampal widths related inversely to homocysteine levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that, even in healthy older people, homocysteine may damage the hippocampus. Reducing homocysteine levels in healthy older people may help to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford and Radcliffe Infirmary Trust, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HE, UK. Jonathan.Williams@pharm.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jonathan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Erlick A C
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Marc M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Budge
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001284:Atrophy / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine