Now Vitamin D and Dementia

December 5, 2009

Hi folks:

" 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, dementia, and cerebrovascular pathology in elders

receiving home services. "

" Buell JS, Dawson- B, TM, Weiner DE, Dallal GE, Qui WQ, Bergethon P,

Rosenberg IH, Folstein MF, Patz S, Bhadelia RA, Tucker KL.

" BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency has potential adverse effects on

neurocognitive health and subcortical function. However, no studies have

examined the association between vitamin D status, dementia, and cranial MRI

indicators of cerebrovascular disease (CVD).

" METHODS: Cross-sectional investigation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D],

dementia, and MRI measures of CVD in elders receiving home care (aged 65-99

years) from 2003 to 2007.

" RESULTS: Among 318 participants, the mean age was 73.5 +/- 8.1 years, 231

(72.6%) were women, and 109 (34.3%) were black. 25(OH)D concentrations were

deficient (<10 ng/mL) in 14.5% and insufficient (10-20 ng/mL) in 44.3% of

participants. There were 76 participants (23.9%) with dementia, 41 of which were

classified as probable AD.

" Mean 25(OH)D concentrations were lower in subjects with dementia (16.8 vs 20.0

ng/mL, p < 0.01). There was a higher prevalence of dementia among participants

with 25(OH)D insufficiency (</=20 ng/mL) (30.5% vs 14.5%, p < 0.01). 25(OH)D

deficiency was associated with increased white matter hyperintensity volume (4.9

vs 2.9 mL, p < 0.01), grade (3.0 vs 2.2, p = 0.04), and prevalence of large

vessel infarcts (10.1% vs 6.9%, p < 0.01).

" After adjustment for age, race, sex, body mass index, and education, 25(OH)D

insufficiency (</=20 ng/mL) was associated with more than twice the odds of

all-cause dementia (odds ratio [OR] = 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]

1.2-4.2), Alzheimer disease (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-6.1), and stroke (with and

without dementia symptoms) (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.0-4.0).

" CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was associated with

all-cause dementia, Alzheimer disease, stroke (with and without dementia

symptoms), and MRI indicators of cerebrovascular disease. These findings suggest

a potential vasculoprotective role of vitamin D. "

PMID: 19940273

Rodney.

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