Homocysteine and cognitive function in institutionalised elderly A cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND

Several cross-sectional, case-control and prospective studies revealed a relation between homocysteine and cognitive function or dementia. These studies included either patient populations or healthy, community- dwelling elderly people.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study we tested the hypothesis that homocysteine was inversely associated with cognitive function in a population of institutionalised elderly (aged >/= 60 y; n = 157).

METHODS

For testing this hypothesis baseline data of a recently conducted intervention study in institutionalised elderly (median age 83 years) were used. Cognitive function was evaluated by the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog). The association between fasting plasma homocysteine level and cognitive function was investigated by multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

In the crude model homocysteine concentration was not significantly related to ADAS-cog score (beta = 0.061; p = 0.45). Age was found to be related to ADAS-cog score (beta = 0.161; p < 0.05). Adjusting for age did however not result in a relation between homocysteine and cognitive function.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study no association was found between homocysteine and cognitive function in a population of very old institutionalised subjects.