Relations between homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in vascular dementia and in Alzheimer disease

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between homocysteine (Hey), folate and vitamin B 12 levels in vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer Disease (AD) to elucidate if they had similar pathogenesis due to cerebrovascular injury. Design and methods: Plasma Hey and serum folate, vitamin B 12 levels were studied 67 VaD, 51 AD and 40 healthy control subjects. Vascular risk factors in these groups were also considered. Results: The changes in the levels of Hey, folate and vitamin B 12 were found to be not related with vascular risk factors. In Val), Hey level was higher (p < 0.001), folate and vitamin B12 levels were lower (p < 0.05 for folate, p < 0.001 for vitamin 1312) than those in AD. Hey level was negatively correlated with folate and vitamin B12 (p < 0.05) in VaD but in AD. Hcy/folate and Hcy/vitamin B12 ratios were the highest in Val). Conclusion: The increase of Hey in AD were seemed to be not related to cerebrovascular injury. It is possibly related to biochemical damages as result of oxidative stress. (c) 2007 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.