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Homocysteine and cognitive function in institutionalised elderly A cross-sectional analysis.
M Manders1, E Vasse, L C P G M de Groot
1Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, 8129, 6700, EV Wageningen, The Netherlands. marleen.manders@wur.nl
European Journal of Nutrition
|July 30, 2005
Summary
This study found no significant link between homocysteine levels and cognitive function in very old institutionalized individuals. Further research is needed to understand homocysteine
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Previous studies suggest a link between homocysteine and cognitive decline or dementia in various populations.
- Research has explored this association in both patient groups and healthy elderly individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that homocysteine levels are inversely associated with cognitive function.
- Focus on a specific population: institutionalized elderly individuals aged 60 years and above (n=157).
Main Methods:
- Utilized baseline data from an intervention study involving institutionalized elderly (median age 83).
- Cognitive function assessed using the Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog).
- Analyzed the association between fasting plasma homocysteine and ADAS-cog scores via multiple linear regression.
Main Results:
- Homocysteine levels did not show a significant relationship with ADAS-cog scores in the crude model (beta = 0.061; p = 0.45).
- Age was significantly associated with ADAS-cog scores (beta = 0.161; p < 0.05).
- Adjusting for age did not establish a significant association between homocysteine and cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- No association was found between homocysteine levels and cognitive function in this cohort of very old institutionalized subjects.
- Findings suggest homocysteine may not be a significant predictor of cognitive function in this specific demographic.