Homocysteine and cognitive function in institutionalised elderly A cross-sectional analysis.
BACKGROUND
Several cross-sectional, case-control and prospective studies revealed a relation between homocysteine and cognitive function or dementia. These studies included either patient populations or healthy, community- dwelling elderly people.


OBJECTIVE
In this study we tested the hypothesis that homocysteine was inversely associated with cognitive function in a population of institutionalised elderly (aged >/= 60 y; n = 157).


METHODS
For testing this hypothesis baseline data of a recently conducted intervention study in institutionalised elderly (median age 83 years) were used. Cognitive function was evaluated by the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog). The association between fasting plasma homocysteine level and cognitive function was investigated by multiple linear regression analysis.


RESULTS
In the crude model homocysteine concentration was not significantly related to ADAS-cog score (beta = 0.061; p = 0.45). Age was found to be related to ADAS-cog score (beta = 0.161; p < 0.05). Adjusting for age did however not result in a relation between homocysteine and cognitive function.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study no association was found between homocysteine and cognitive function in a population of very old institutionalised subjects.
Manders
M
M
Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, 8129, 6700, EV Wageningen, The Netherlands. marleen.manders@wur.nl
Vasse
E
E
de Groot
L C P G M
LC
van Staveren
W A
WA
Bindels
J G
JG
Blom
H J
HJ
Hoefnagels
W H L
WH
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine