Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Cognitive Decline
13 years, 12 months ago
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Posted on May 03, 2010, 6 a.m.
Older people with low levels of Vitamin D may be more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment.
Previous studies have shown that Vitamin D exerts anti-inflammatory effects in the body, and some research suggests the vitamin may help to promote the proper flow of nutrients and oxygen to brain cells. Amie Peterson, from Oregon Health & Science University (Oregon, USA), and colleagues studied about 150 people, ages 70 years and older, living in the general community population. The team assessed circulating levels of Vitamin D in the study participants’ blood, and also administered standardized cognitive tests. They found that the lower the score on the cognitive assessment, the lower the subject’s vitamin D levels. The average vitamin D level was 42.8 for the subjects with a perfect score on the cognitive test; 36.7 for those within, but in the lower range, of normal; and 34.8 for the participants with scores indicative of mild cognitive impairment.
Amie Peterson, Nora Mattek, Aaron Clemons, Gene Bowman, Teresa Buracchio, Jeffrey Kaye, Joseph Quinn. “Vitamin D, Fall Frequency, and Cognitive Function in Free-Living Elders” (Abstract P04.037), presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.
