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Serum cobalamin levels in dementias
M Tripathi1, S Sheshadri, M V Padma
1Department of Neurology, C.N. Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110 029, India. manjari@medinst.ernet.in
Neurology India
|October 11, 2001
Summary
Low vitamin B-12 levels are significantly linked to Alzheimer's dementia. This study highlights a potential correlation between reduced vitamin B-12 and dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Nutritional Neuroscience
Background:
- Dementia is a growing global health concern.
- The role of specific nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin B-12, in dementia pathogenesis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between low serum vitamin B-12 levels and different types of dementia.
- To compare the prevalence of low vitamin B-12 in Alzheimer's dementia versus other dementia subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 178 dementia patients seen at a cognitive disorder clinic (1996-1998).
- Serum vitamin B-12 levels were assessed in 100 of these patients.
- Statistical comparison of low vitamin B-12 incidence across dementia groups.
Main Results:
- 15 out of 38 Alzheimer's dementia patients (39.5%) exhibited low serum B-12 levels.
- Lower incidence of low B-12 was observed in vascular dementias (5/36, 13.9%) and other dementias (3/26, 11.5%).
- The difference in low B-12 levels was statistically significant in Alzheimer's dementia compared to other groups (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Low serum vitamin B-12 levels are significantly more prevalent in patients with Alzheimer's dementia.
- These findings suggest a potential link between vitamin B-12 deficiency and the aetiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
- Further research is warranted to explore the clinical significance and therapeutic implications of these findings.