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Lower Vitamin B12 Level at Multiple System Atrophy Diagnosis Is Associated With Shorter Survival

Stuart J McCarter1, Elizabeth A Coon1, Rodolfo Savica1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Movement Disorders : Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society
|April 23, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Low vitamin B12 levels are linked to shorter survival in patients with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). This finding suggests vitamin B12 may be a modifiable factor influencing MSA prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by alpha-synuclein aggregation.
  • In vitro research indicates that vitamin B12 might play a role in mitigating neurodegeneration caused by alpha-synuclein.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum vitamin B12 levels at the time of MSA diagnosis and patient survival.
  • To identify if vitamin B12 status is a prognostic indicator in MSA.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 182 patients diagnosed with MSA at Mayo Clinic were analyzed.
  • Serum vitamin B12 levels were measured at diagnosis, and survival data were collected.
  • Statistical analysis adjusted for known predictors of survival to determine the risk of death associated with vitamin B12 levels.

Main Results:

  • Lower serum vitamin B12 levels (<367 ng/L) at MSA diagnosis were significantly associated with shorter survival (Hazard Ratio [HR], 1.8; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.3-2.7).
  • Other predictors of shorter survival included falls, bladder symptoms, urinary catheter requirement, male sex, and the MSA-P subtype.

Conclusions:

  • Serum vitamin B12 levels at diagnosis are associated with survival outcomes in patients with Multiple System Atrophy.
  • Further research is warranted to explore this relationship and evaluate vitamin B12 as a potential modifiable factor to improve MSA survival.
Keywords:
autonomiccyanocobalaminmultiple system atrophysurvivalvitamin B12

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