BACKGROUND: Associations between vitamin B-12 deficiency and impaired cognitive function and depression have been reported. METHODS: A randomized placebo controlled study including 140 individuals with an increased plasma methylmalonic acid (0.40-2.00 micromol/l) not previously treated withvitamin B-12. Cognitive function was assessed by the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and a 12-words learning test. Symptoms of depression were evaluated by the Major Depression Inventory. The main outcome measure was change in cognitive function and depression score from baseline to follow-up 3 months later. RESULTS: At baseline 78 (56%) individuals had cognitive impairment judged from the CAMCOG score and 40 (29%) according to the MMSE; 18 (13%) individuals had symptoms of depression. No improvement was found in cognitive function comparing the treatment and placebo group (total CAMCOG score: P = 0.43), nor among individuals with only slightly impaired cognitive function (n = 44, total CAMCOG score: P = 0.42). The treatment group did not improve in depression score as compared to the placebo group (P = 0.18). LIMITATIONS: The duration of impaired cognitive function was unknown. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of individuals with an increased plasma methylmalonic acid had impaired cognitive function, and a rather high prevalence of depression was observed. However, vitamin B-12 treatment did not improve cognitive function or symptoms of depression within the 3-months study period.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Associations between vitamin B-12deficiency and impaired cognitive function and depression have been reported. METHODS: A randomized placebo controlled study including 140 individuals with an increased plasma methylmalonic acid (0.40-2.00 micromol/l) not previously treated with vitamin B-12. Cognitive function was assessed by the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and a 12-words learning test. Symptoms of depression were evaluated by the Major Depression Inventory. The main outcome measure was change in cognitive function and depression score from baseline to follow-up 3 months later. RESULTS: At baseline 78 (56%) individuals had cognitive impairment judged from the CAMCOG score and 40 (29%) according to the MMSE; 18 (13%) individuals had symptoms of depression. No improvement was found in cognitive function comparing the treatment and placebo group (total CAMCOG score: P = 0.43), nor among individuals with only slightly impaired cognitive function (n = 44, total CAMCOG score: P = 0.42). The treatment group did not improve in depression score as compared to the placebo group (P = 0.18). LIMITATIONS: The duration of impaired cognitive function was unknown. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of individuals with an increased plasma methylmalonic acid had impaired cognitive function, and a rather high prevalence of depression was observed. However, vitamin B-12 treatment did not improve cognitive function or symptoms of depression within the 3-months study period.
Authors: Kirk I Erickson; Barbara L Suever; Ruchika Shaurya Prakash; Stanley J Colcombe; Edward McAuley; Arthur F Kramer Journal: Brain Res Date: 2008-01-26 Impact factor: 3.252
Authors: Andrew H Ford; Leon Flicker; Kieran McCaul; Frank van Bockxmeer; Sarah Hegarty; Varsha Hirani; Stephen Fenner; Osvaldo P Almeida Journal: Trials Date: 2010-01-25 Impact factor: 2.279