Vitamin DIs vitamin D important for preserving cognition? A positive correlation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration with cognitive function
Section snippets
Patients
In this retrospective chart review, the clinic records of all patients presenting to a monthly community-based, university-affiliated consultative clinic (in existence July 2002 through May 2005) were reviewed. All patients had been referred for the assessment of memory loss or behavioral problems related to cognitive impairment. In addition to memory testing, the patients received a general geriatric assessment by one physician (RP), resulting in acquisition of clinical chemistries to
Patient demographics
Eighty patients were assessed over the 34-month period at the consultative memory clinic. Forty patients had 25(OH)D and 54 had vitamin B12 concentrations assessed on the day of MMSE testing. Of the 78 patients in whom a MMSE score was obtained, 32 also had both 25(OH)D and vitamin B12 levels assessed on the day of cognitive testing. In this cohort of 32 patients, 25 had a serum 25(OH)D less than 30 ng/ml and one patient had a serum B12 less than 200 pg/ml. The MMSE score (mean 19.2; maximum
Discussion
This clinical observational report demonstrates a positive correlation between circulating 25(OH)D concentration and the MMSE test results of older adults presenting for memory assessment at a university-associated, community-based consultative clinic. Additionally, no similar correlation between serum B12 level and MMSE score is observed. Since all but one patient had adequate total vitamin B12 levels (⩾200 pg/ml) [17], overall poor nutrition seems unlikely to be responsible for either the low
Financial disclosures
Robert J. Przybelski, M.D., M.S.: Dr. Przybelski is a consult for Sangart Inc. Neil C. Binkley, M.D.: Dr. Binkley receives research support from P&G, Merck, Aventis, Novartis, Roche, Pfizer, and Eisai. He is a consultant for Merck, Lilly and Novartis and is on the speakers bureau for P&G and Merck.
Author contributions
Dr. Przybelski participated in the study concept and design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, and preparation of manuscript.
Dr. Binkley participated in the study concept and design, analysis and interpretation of data, and preparation of manuscript.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the contribution of data acquisition and technical assistance to this work by Diane Krueger and Sherry Brusda.
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