Author Interviews, Cognitive Issues, JAMA / 28.04.2016
Low Vitamin B12 Associated With Accelerated Brain Aging
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Babak Hooshmand, MD, PhD, MPH
Center for Alzheimer Research–Aging Research Center
Karolinska Institutet
Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Department of Neurology, Klinikum Augsburg
Augsburg, Germany
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Hooshmand: Low and subnormal levels of vitamin B12 as well as high levels of homocysteine (a vascular risk factor and neurotoxic amino-acid associated with B12 deficiency) are common conditions in the elderly and are associated with a variety of disorders, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular
conditions. Our study showed that over 6-year of follow-up, both low vitamin B12 status and high homocysteine levels are associated with accelerated brain atrophy in older adults, which precedes clinical dementia.
(more…)