Can Dietary Fortification Reduce Incidence Of Dementia?
2-14 PLASMA HOMOCYSTEINE AS A RISK FACTOR FOR DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMERS DISEASE Persons with cardiovascular risk factors and a history of stroke are at increased risk of both vascular dementia and Alzheimers disease. Plasma total homocysteine has recently emerged as a major vascular risk factor. This has led to the hypothesis that elevated homocysteine may be a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimers. If this is valid, it points to a modifiable risk factor since plasma homocysteine can be lowered by supplementation with folic acid. This study examined plasma homocysteine in relation to newly diagnosed dementia and Alzheimers. Do elevated levels precede onset of dementia? Conclusion: An increased plasma homocysteine was a strong, independent risk factor for later development of dementia and Alzheimers. STUDY • Entered over 1000 subjects (mean age = 76) from the Framingham study. None had dementia. • Examined the relation between plasma total homocysteine, measured at baseline, and risk of
