Alzheimer's Disease Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Alzheimer's Disease, including details on diagnosis, memory loss, heredity, treatment, medication. | ||||||||
|
Plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate in Alzheimer's patients and healthy Arabs in Israel.Mizrahi EH, Bowirrat A, Jacobsen DW, Korczyn AD, Traore F, Petot GJ, Lerner AJ, Debanne SM, Adunsky A, Dibello PM, Friedland RP Department of Geriatric Medicine, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Affiliated to the Tel-Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Hashomer, Israel. exm42@sheba.health.gov.il High plasma homocysteine (tHcy) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke and Alzheimer's disease (AD). An inverse relationship has been reported between tHcy and plasma B12 and folate levels. Seventy-nine AD patients and 156 controls from three Arab villages in northern Israel participated. Plasma tHcy, B12 and folate levels were determined. Data were analyzed using univariate statistical tests and logistical regression with confounders. tHcy was significantly higher in AD patients (20.6+/-8.7 micromol/l) than in controls (16.4+/-6.5 micromol/l) (p=0.03) after correction for year of birth, gender and smoking status. Plasma B12 (322.9+/-136.0/350.5+/-175.3 pmol/l) and plasma folate (4.5+/-3.8/4.9+/-2.6 nmol/l) levels did not differ significantly between AD patients and controls. Subjects in the highest tHcy tertile or in the lowest B12 and folate tertiles did not have greater risk to develop AD. In this population residing in Arab villages in northern Israel, tHcy levels were significantly higher among AD patients than in controls. Plasma B12 and folate levels were lower among cases but were not significant. There was not a significant association between plasma tHcy, B12 and folate levels in controls or AD patients. High levels of tHcy may suggest the need for folate and vitamin B12 supplementation in this population. Published 19 November 2004 in J Neurol Sci, 227(1): 109-13.
© 2004-2008 Alzheimer's Disease Research Today. All Rights Reserved. |
| ||||||
