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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- There was hope that vitamin B could be beneficial in preventing the cognitive decline in Alzheimers patients, but a new study finds high doses of the vitamin are not an effective treatment.
Past research has shown that reduction in homocysteine levels in Alzheimers patients may offer an approach to altering the disease. B vitamins influence homocysteine levels, so they have been considered as a possible therapeutic agent. Until now, the research was completed in very small studies.
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Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, conducted this new clinical trial. They included 340 patients in the study including 202 active patients and 138 in a placebo group. The patients were given high doses of folic acid with vitamins B6 and B12 for 18 months. The patients all had mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. Participants were tested on their cognitive abilities using the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale.
Study authors found even though the vitamin supplement regimen was effective in reducing homocysteine levels, it had no beneficial effect on cognitive measurement. In fact, researchers say they found a negative impact. Depression symptoms were more common in those on high doses of vitamin B. Researchers conclude this study does not support the use of treating Alzheimers patients with B vitamin supplementation.
SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2008;300:1774-1783
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