title: Folate and MMA predict cognitive impairment in elderly stroke survivors: A cross sectional study.
abstract: Elderly stroke survivors are at risk of malnutrition and long-term cognitive impairment. Vitamin B-related metabolites, folate and methylmalonic acid, have been implicated in cognitive function. We conducted a study exploring the relationship between blood folate, methylmalonic acid and post-stroke cognitive impairment. This is a cross sectional study of elderly Swedish patients (n=149) 20 months post-stroke, assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination, serum blood levels of methylmalonic acid and red blood cell levels of folate. Linear modeling indicated that low levels of blood folate and elevated methylmalonic acid significantly contributed to cognitive impairment in stroke survivors. Half of the stroke survivors were shown to have folate deficiency at 20 months after stroke. Folate deficiency is common long term after stroke and both low folate and elevated methylmalonic acid appear to be associated with long term cognitive impairment, in elderly Swedish stroke survivors.
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Heart and Mind, Australian Catholic University, Level 5, 215 Spring Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Mental Health Service, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: Michaela.pascoe@acu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Michaela C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pascoe
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Linden
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017741:Survivors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D008764:Methylmalonic Acid; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Cognition; Geriatric; Ischemia; Nutrition