Matti Nark
Mon, Jan-22-07, 17:16
According to the study
Durga J, van Boxtel MP, Schouten EG, Kok FJ, Jolles J, Katan
MB, Verhoef P Effect of 3-year folic acid supplementation on
cognitive function in older adults in the FACIT trial: a
randomised, double blind, controlled trial The Lancet, 20
January 2007; 369:208-216 <http://www.thelancet.com/journals/-
lancet/article/PIIS0140673607601093/abstract>
just published in the Lancet, in men and women aged 50–70
years with raised plasma total homocysteine and normal serum
vitamin B12 at screening supplementation with 800 µg oral
folic acid daily for 3 years significantly improved domains of
cognitive function that tend to decline with age. Below the
abstract of the study:
"Summary
Background
Low folate and raised homocysteine concentrations in blood
are associated with poor cognitive performance in the
general population. As part of the FACIT trial to assess
the effect of folic acid on markers of atherosclerosis in
men and women aged 50–70 years with raised plasma total
homocysteine and normal serum vitamin B12 at screening, we
report here the findings for the secondary endpoint: the
effect of folic acid supplementation on cognitive
performance.
Methods
Our randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study
took place between November, 1999, and December, 2004, in
the Netherlands. We randomly assigned 818 participants 800
µg daily oral folic acid or placebo for 3 years. The
effect on cognitive performance was measured as the
difference between the two groups in the 3-year change in
performance for memory, sensorimotor speed, complex speed,
information processing speed, and word fluency. Analysis
was by intention-to-treat. This trial is registered with
clinicaltrials.gov with trial number NCT00110604.
Findings
Serum folate concentrations increased by 576% (95% CI 539
to
614) and plasma total homocysteine concentrations
decreased by 26% (24 to 28) in participants taking
folic acid compared with those taking placebo. The
3-year change in memory (difference in Z scores
0·132, 95% CI 0·032 to 0·233), information processing
speed (0·087, 0·016 to 0·158) and sensorimotor speed
(·064, -0·001 to 0·129) were significantly better in
the folic acid group than in the placebo group.
Interpretation
Folic acid supplementation for 3 years significantly
improved domains of cognitive function that tend to
decline with age."
Comments:
Folic Acid Improves Cognitive Performance in Older Adults
<http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/550999> <http://www.theh-
eart.org/viewArticle.do?primaryKey=765625&nl_id=tho19jan07>
--
Matti Narkia
Durga J, van Boxtel MP, Schouten EG, Kok FJ, Jolles J, Katan
MB, Verhoef P Effect of 3-year folic acid supplementation on
cognitive function in older adults in the FACIT trial: a
randomised, double blind, controlled trial The Lancet, 20
January 2007; 369:208-216 <http://www.thelancet.com/journals/-
lancet/article/PIIS0140673607601093/abstract>
just published in the Lancet, in men and women aged 50–70
years with raised plasma total homocysteine and normal serum
vitamin B12 at screening supplementation with 800 µg oral
folic acid daily for 3 years significantly improved domains of
cognitive function that tend to decline with age. Below the
abstract of the study:
"Summary
Background
Low folate and raised homocysteine concentrations in blood
are associated with poor cognitive performance in the
general population. As part of the FACIT trial to assess
the effect of folic acid on markers of atherosclerosis in
men and women aged 50–70 years with raised plasma total
homocysteine and normal serum vitamin B12 at screening, we
report here the findings for the secondary endpoint: the
effect of folic acid supplementation on cognitive
performance.
Methods
Our randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study
took place between November, 1999, and December, 2004, in
the Netherlands. We randomly assigned 818 participants 800
µg daily oral folic acid or placebo for 3 years. The
effect on cognitive performance was measured as the
difference between the two groups in the 3-year change in
performance for memory, sensorimotor speed, complex speed,
information processing speed, and word fluency. Analysis
was by intention-to-treat. This trial is registered with
clinicaltrials.gov with trial number NCT00110604.
Findings
Serum folate concentrations increased by 576% (95% CI 539
to
614) and plasma total homocysteine concentrations
decreased by 26% (24 to 28) in participants taking
folic acid compared with those taking placebo. The
3-year change in memory (difference in Z scores
0·132, 95% CI 0·032 to 0·233), information processing
speed (0·087, 0·016 to 0·158) and sensorimotor speed
(·064, -0·001 to 0·129) were significantly better in
the folic acid group than in the placebo group.
Interpretation
Folic acid supplementation for 3 years significantly
improved domains of cognitive function that tend to
decline with age."
Comments:
Folic Acid Improves Cognitive Performance in Older Adults
<http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/550999> <http://www.theh-
eart.org/viewArticle.do?primaryKey=765625&nl_id=tho19jan07>
--
Matti Narkia