VITAMIN-B12 DEFICIENCY AND DEMENTIA - A M ULTICENTER EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND THERAPEUTIC STUDY - PRELIMINARY THERAPEUTIC TRIAL

Is vitamin B12 deficiency a cause or a consequence of dementias assume d to be due to neuronal degeneration? A multicenter epidemiologic and therapeutic study was undertaken in gn effort to answer this question. Serum vitamin B12 levels were determined in over 1000 patients, No di fferences in proportions of patients with low vitamin B12 levels were found in patients in extended care facilities or in those with moderat ely severe dementia (Mini Mental State Examination score between 11 an d 24). A therapeutic trial in 11 patients failed to demonstrate any si gnificant differences in ADAS cognitive subscale scores between patien ts given vitamin B12 and those given a placebo; however, over 200 pati ents per group would be needed to allow a meaningful analysis. Should routine B12 assays still be performed in patients with dementia but no clinical or laboratory test data suggesting vitamin B12 deficiency? I s early detection of vitamin B12 deficiency possible?.