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Plasma homocysteine is elevated in elderly patients with memory complaints and vascular disease

Karin Nilsson1, Lars Gustafson, Björn Hultberg

  • 1Department of Psychogeriatrics, Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
|March 22, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is linked to vascular disease in elderly patients with confirmed memory complaints. This suggests mild cognitive impairment is heterogeneous, with vascular factors playing a role.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is associated with vascular disease in elderly individuals with mental health conditions.
  • Understanding the link between tHcy and vascular disease in patients with memory complaints is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between plasma tHcy concentration and the presence of vascular disease in elderly patients experiencing memory complaints.
  • To explore determinants of plasma tHcy concentration in this patient group.

Main Methods:

  • Study involved 108 patients with memory complaints.
  • Plasma tHcy concentration was measured and correlated with the presence of vascular disease.
  • Other determinants of plasma tHcy were also assessed.

Main Results:

  • Patients with confirmed memory complaints (CMC) and vascular disease showed higher age, elevated plasma tHcy, reduced serum folate, and poorer renal function compared to those without vascular disease.
  • CMC patients without vascular disease shared similarities with patients experiencing subjective memory complaints (SMC).
  • Mild cognitive impairment appears to be a heterogeneous condition with multiple contributing factors.

Conclusions:

  • The study identified two subgroups within CMC patients, supporting the heterogeneity of mild cognitive impairment.
  • Elevated plasma tHcy in CMC patients with vascular disease is likely associated with the presence of vascular disease.
Abstract

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