Can B vitamins prevent Alzheimer’s?

Published: 2010-10-05

Supplementing the diet with folic acid and B vitamins slowed the accelerated rate of brain atrophy in people aged over 70 years who had mild cognitive impairment and raised concentrations of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy). Moderately elevated concentrations of tHcy have been associated with an increased risk of dementia, notably Alzheimer's disease.

The tissue and plasma concentrations of homocysteine are largely determined by the body's status of folate, B6 and B12, which are cofactors or substrates for enzymes involved in homocysteine metabolism.

Treatment with B vitamins for 24 months significantly slowed the rate of brain atrophy. After adjustment for age, the rate was 29.6% less per year in the active treatment than in the placebo group. Plasma tHcy decreased by 22.5% in the active group, but increased by 7.7% in the placebo group.

Smith et al. PLoS ONE 5(9): e12244.