title: Vitamin D as a marker of cognitive decline in elderly Indian population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Very few studies in India have addressed the role of vitamin D in cognitive function. The present study was conducted to assess the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and its association with markers of cognitive impairment and homocysteine levels in the elderly Indian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of patients with dementia (Group A, n = 32), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; Group B, n = 24), and elderly age-matched controls (Group C, n = 30). Measurement of serum levels of 25(OH)D and total homocysteine were done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant decreased concentration of 25(OH)D and increased concentration of homocysteine was observed. Association of serum levels of vitamin D with markers of cognitive decline as well as serum homocysteine levels was observed in patients with dementia and MCI when compared to controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Correlation of vitamin D with markers of cognitive decline and homocysteine opens a new door for early diagnosis of cognitive impairment.
authors.affiliation: Ph.D. Student, Applied Biology (Immunology), Sir H. N. Medical Research Society and Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Girgaum, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Tejal Kanhaiya
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Vedak
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychologist, Sir H. N. Medical Research Society and Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Girgaum, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Vaishali
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ganwir
authors.affiliation: Consultant Neurologist, Sir H. N. Medical Research Society and Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Girgaum, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Arun B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, Sir H. N. Medical Research Society and Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Girgaum, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Director of Nuclear Medicine, Sir H. N. Medical Research Society and Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Girgaum, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Vikram R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Lele
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Sir H. N. Medical Research Society and Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Girgaum, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Alka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Subramanyam
authors.affiliation: Junior Consultant, Sir H. N. Medical Research Society and Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Girgaum, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Hina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Senior Research Scientist and Co-PI, Sir H. N. Medical Research Society and Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Girgaum, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sudha Shrikant
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Deo
keywords: Cognitive decline; MMSE score; dementia; homocysteine; vitamin D