title: Vitamin B(12) supplementation did not improve cognition but reduced delirium in demented patients with vitamin B(12) deficiency.
abstract: To examine the effects of vitamin B(12) supplementation on the cognitive function, delirium, and neuropsychiatric symptoms of mild to moderate dementia patients with vitamin B(12) deficiency. Thirty consecutive mild to moderate dementia cases aged over 60 years with low serum B(12) (< 200 pmol/l) were given vitamin B(12) supplementation for 40 weeks. The Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS), Category Verbal Fluency Test (CVFT), Delirium Rating Scale (DRS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were performed at baseline, and after 6, 16, and 40 weeks. No significant changes in cognitive function and behavioral symptoms were detected between baseline and 40 weeks. DRS scores decreased significantly at 6 and 40 weeks (median change of -1 at both follow-ups, p=0.006 and 0.04, respectively). Cognitive function of mild to moderately demented older people with vitamin B(12) deficiency did not significantly change with vitamin B(12) supplementation over a 10-month period. The supplementation reduced delirium associated with dementia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. tkwok@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003693:Delirium / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D014805:Vitamin B 12