Heart Risk Factors >>> Alzheimer's

[Guest guest]

Hi folks:

Here is YET another heart disease risk factor now shown to be a

predictor for Alzheimer's.

" Homocysteine and cognitive function in elderly people.

A, Zanibbi K.

Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.

DEMENTIA IS HIGHLY PREVALENT AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE, and projections

show that the number of people affected might triple over the next 50

years, mainly because of a large increase in the oldest-old segment

of the population. Because of this and the disease's devastating

effects, measures for the prevention and early detection of dementia

are crucial. Age and years of education are among the most relevant

risk factors for dementia, but in recent years the role of

homocysteine has also been investigated. Homocysteine is an amino

acid produced in the metabolism of methionine, a process dependent on

the B vitamins cobalamin, vitamin B(6) and folic acid. There is

evidence that increased serum homocysteine levels are associated with

declining cognitive function and dementia. We review this evidence in

addition to the potential mechanisms through which homocysteine acts

on the brain to cause cognitive dysfunction, the metabolism of

homocysteine and factors associated with alteration of the normal

metabolism.

PMID: 15477631 [PubMed - in process] "

Rodney.