Serum folic acid is reduced in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Authors

  • Cesar C. Almeida FMUSP; Instituto de Psiquiatria
  • Helena P. Brentani FMUSP; Instituto de Psiquiatria
  • Orestes V. Forlenza FMUSP; Instituto de Psiquiatria
  • Breno S. Diniz University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832012000300004

Keywords:

Folic acid, vitamin B12, Alzheimer's disease, nutritional factors, one-carbon metabolism

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Complex B vitamin deficiency has been associated to cognitive impairment and dementing disorders in the elderly. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to assess whether patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have lower levels of folic acid and cobalamin (vitamin B12) compared to age and gender-matched controls. METHODS: One hundred and forty six elderly subjects (40 AD, 56 MCI and 49 healthy older adults) were recruited for this study. Serum folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were measured by electrochemoluminescence. RESULTS: Compared to MCI and healthy controls a statistically significant reduction in serum concentrations of folic acid in AD patients was found (p = 0.02). This result remained statistically significant after controlling for socio-demographic and cognitive performance variables (p = 0.01). No significant differences were found in serum concentrations of vitamin B12 in patients with AD, MCI and healthy controls. No significant changes in hematologic parameters were observed across these diagnostic groups. DISCUSSION: The present study provides additional evidence that folic acid is reduced in patients with AD and reinforces the importance of nutritional changes, in particular the one-carbon metabolism, in the physiopathology of AD.

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Published

2012-01-01

Issue

Vol. 39 No. 3 (2012)

Section

Original Articles

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Serum folic acid is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. (2012). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo), 39(3), 90-93. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832012000300004