title: Homocysteine and cognitive function in very elderly nondemented subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the association of homocysteine with cognitive functioning in very elderly community-dwelling individuals (80 years or older).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred twenty-eight nondemented community-dwelling individuals were assessed with a broad neuropsychological battery. Bloods were drawn to measure homocysteine, serum vitamin B12, and folate levels and APOE genotype.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher homocysteine levels were associated with poorer executive-language functioning scores (r = -0.311). The association persisted when serum B12 and folate levels were controlled for (r = -0.308). Homocysteine levels were not associated with memory score (r = 0.120).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In very elderly, nondemented community dwellers, high homocysteine levels are associated with poorer executive-language functioning but not with memory. This possible differential effect of homocysteine on cognitive functions suggests that it may affect only specific brain regions or mechanisms underlying healthy executive functioning.
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. rebecca.west@mssm.edu
authors.forename: Rebecca K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: Michal Schnaider
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Beeri
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmeidler
authors.forename: Dara B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Katherine R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Carlisle
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Angelo
authors.forename: Rizalina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mavris
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Langhoff
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosendorff
authors.forename: Jeremy M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Silverman
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12