Journal article
Homocysteine and the brain in midadult life: evidence for an increased risk of leukoaraiosis in men
Archives of neurology (Chicago), Vol.61(9), pp.1369-1376
09/01/2004
DOI: 10.1001/archneur.61.9.1369
PMID: 15364682
Abstract
High serum homocysteine (HCY) levels have been associated with thromboembolic cerebrovascular disease, but their relationship to microvascular disease is uncertain. Homocysteine also has a direct neurotoxic effect and has been linked to brain atrophy and an increased risk of Alzheimer disease.
To examine the relationship of HCY levels to brain and cognitive measures in a healthy community sample.
Cross-sectional study.
Individuals residing in Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia, who were participating in the longitudinal PATH Through Life Project.
Individuals aged 60 to 64 years selected randomly from the community, 196 men and 189 women.
Regression coefficients with HCY level as the putative determinant and various magnetic resonance imaging measures (brain atrophy index, ventricle-brain ratios, volume of periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities) and cognitive measures (information processing speed, verbal memory, fine motor speed) as dependent measures.
Homocysteine levels did not have a significant relationship with brain atrophy index or ventricle-brain ratios. High HCY levels were related to increased deep white matter hyperintensities but not periventricular white matter hyperintensities, after correcting for levels of folate, vitamin B(12), creatinine, and thyrotropin; hypertension; smoking; and diabetes, the relationship being significant only in men. Homocysteine levels were related to impairment in verbal memory and fine motor speed but not after the previously mentioned correction.
Total HCY level is independently related to leukoaraiosis in middle-aged men, and this may be functionally relevant in the form of mild cognitive impairment. The remediation of hyperhomocysteinemia should begin early in life if its deleterious effects on the brain are to be prevented.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Homocysteine and the brain in midadult life: evidence for an increased risk of leukoaraiosis in men
- Creators
- Perminder Sachdev - Prince of Wales HospitalRuth Parslow - Australian National UniversityChris Salonikas - South Eastern Sydney Local Health DistrictOra Lux - South Eastern Sydney Local Health DistrictWei Wen - Prince of Wales HospitalJerome MallerRajeev KumarDaya Naidoo - South Eastern Sydney Local Health DistrictHelen Christensen - Australian National UniversityAnthony Jorm - Australian National University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Archives of neurology (Chicago), Vol.61(9), pp.1369-1376
- DOI
- 10.1001/archneur.61.9.1369
- PMID
- 15364682
- NLM abbreviation
- Arch Neurol
- ISSN
- 0003-9942
- eISSN
- 1538-3687
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/2004
- Academic Unit
- Radiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984848422302771
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