Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Vitamin B12 and folate depletion: clinical evidence in a neurological population
Rita Moretti1, Paola Torre, Rodolfo M Antonello
1Dipartimento Fisiologia e Patologia, Università degli Studi de Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Stradas di Fiume, 34149 Trieste, Italy. moretti@univ.trieste.it
Abstract:
In cross-sectional studies, low levels of folate and vitamin B12 have been associated with poor cognition and dementia. Results are quite controversial and a debate continues in the literature. Still not completely understood are the differential roles of folate and vitamin B12 in memory acquisition and cognitive development. More intriguing and not fully understood is the rule that treating a vitamin B12-deficient patient with folate may exacerbate the neurological consequences of either deficiency. Starting from these quite confusing perspectives, the aim of this study was to define a possible role of vitamin B12 and folate in cognitive disruption. Data were collected among a cohort of people, admitted to the Neurology Clinic of the University of Trieste, in a period between November 1,2000, and November 1, 2002. We examine potential risk factors, concomitant drug-therapies, and cognitive global performance and correlate these parameters with folate and vitamin B 12 serum levels.We discuss the results with an overview of the literature.
Related Concept Videos
Vitamins
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Role of Neurotransmitters in Memory
Glutamate and Synaptic Plasticity
Glutamate, the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter, is critical for...
Dementia l: Introduction
