ascorbic-acid and Dementia

Nutrition has relevant role in the pathogenesis of dementia. However, in Latin American Countries (LAC), it is unknown which type of diet the subjects with dementia and cognitive dysfunction have.. The main purpose of this study was to determine micro- and macronutrients and food frequency intake among the LAC population with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.. A systematic review using PubMed, Cochrane, Lilacs, and Scielo databases. Energy intake as well as micro- and macronutrients intake were analyzed using a random-effect model and presented in a forest plot.. Nine articles were included, an estimated energy intake of 1598.47 kcal (95% CI 1351.07-1845.88) was obtained. A daily consumption of 73.64 g/day (95% CI 64.07-83.2) of protein; 262.17 g/day (95% CI 214.51-309.93) of carbohydrates, and 57.91 g/day (95% CI 49.16-66.66) of fats were reported. A micronutrients daily intake consumption of 201.35μg/day of vitamin B9 (95% CI 125.32-277.38); 5.61μg/day of vitamin B12 (95% CI 2.53-8.70), and 139.67 mg/day of vitamin C (95% CI 59.33-220.02). Mineral intake of 637.32 mg/day of calcium (95% CI 288.54-986.11) and 9 mg/day of iron (95% CI 2.28-15.71) was obtained. A low intake of fruits and vegetables was found.. Individuals with MCI and dementia from LAC have a nutritional deficiency characterized by a lower intake of fruits and vegetables, a high consumption of carbohydrates and protein, adequate fats intake and vitamins B12, vitamin C, and iron consumption, but a low intake of vitamin B9 and calcium.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Cognitive Dysfunction; Dementia; Eating; Energy Intake; Folic Acid; Humans; Iron; Latin America; Vitamin B 12; Vitamins

Vitamins and minerals have many functions in the nervous system which are important for brain health. It has been suggested that various different vitamin and mineral supplements might be useful in maintaining cognitive function and delaying the onset of dementia. In this review, we sought to examine the evidence for this in people who already had mild cognitive impairment (MCI).. To evaluate the effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on cognitive function and the incidence of dementia in people with mild cognitive impairment.. We searched ALOIS, the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's (CDCIG) specialised register, as well as MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, CINAHL, LILACs, Web of Science Core Collection, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO Portal/ICTRP, from inception to 25 January 2018.. We included randomised or quasi-randomised, placebo-controlled trials which evaluated orally administered vitamin or mineral supplements in participants with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and which assessed the incidence of dementia or cognitive outcomes, or both. We were interested in studies applicable to the general population of older people and therefore excluded studies in which participants had severe vitamin or mineral deficiencies.. We sought data on our primary outcomes of dementia incidence and overall cognitive function and on secondary outcomes of episodic memory, executive function, speed of processing, quality of life, functional performance, clinical global impression, adverse events, and mortality. We conducted data collection and analysis according to standard Cochrane systematic review methods. We assessed the risk of bias of included studies using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' assessment tool. We grouped vitamins and minerals according to their putative mechanism of action and, where we considered it to be clinically appropriate, we pooled data using random-effects methods. We used GRADE methods to assess the overall quality of evidence for each comparison and outcome.. We included five trials with 879 participants which investigated B vitamin supplements. In four trials, the intervention was a combination of vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid; in one, it was folic acid only. Doses varied. We considered there to be some risks of performance and attrition bias and of selective outcome reporting among these trials. Our primary efficacy outcomes were the incidence of dementia and scores on measures of overall cognitive function. None of the trials reported the incidence of dementia and the evidence on overall cognitive function was of very low-quality. There was probably little or no effect of B vitamins taken for six to 24 months on episodic memory, executive function, speed of processing, or quality of life. The evidence on our other secondary clinical outcomes, including harms, was very sparse or very low-quality. There was evidence from one study that there may be a slower rate of brain atrophy over two years in participants taking B vitamins. The same study reported subgroup analyses based on the level of serum homocysteine (tHcy) at baseline and found evidence that B vitamins may improve episodic memory in those with tHcy above the median at baseline.We included one trial (n = 516) of vitamin E supplementation. Vitamin E was given as 1000 IU of alpha-tocopherol twice daily. We considered this trial to be at risk of attrition and selective reporting bias. There was probably no effect of vitamin E on the probability of progression from MCI to Alzheimer's dementia over three years (HR 1.02; 95% CI 0.74 to 1.41; n = 516; 1 study, moderate-quality evidence). There was also no evidence of an effect at intermediate time points. The available data did not allow us to conduct analyses, but the authors reported no significant effect of three years of supplementation with vitamin E on overall cognitive function, episodic memory, speed of processing, clinical global impression, functional performance, adverse events, or mortality (five deaths in each group). We considered this to be low-quality evidence.We included one trial (n = 256) of combined vitamin E and vitamin C supplementation and one trial (n = 26) of supplementation with chromium picolinate. In both cases, there was a single eligible cognitive outcome, but we considered the evidence to be very low-quality and so could not be sure of any effects.. The evidence on vitamin and mineral supplements as treatments for MCI is very limited. Three years of treatment with high-dose vitamin E probably does not reduce the risk of progression to dementia, but we have no data on this outcome for other supplements. Only B vitamins have been assessed in more than one RCT. There is no evidence for beneficial effects on cognition of supplementation with B vitamins for six to 24 months. Evidence from a single study of a reduced rate of brain atrophy in participants taking vitamin B and a beneficial effect of vitamin B on episodic memory in those with higher tHcy at baseline warrants attempted replication.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-Tocopherol; Ascorbic Acid; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Dementia; Dietary Supplements; Executive Function; Humans; Memory, Episodic; Middle Aged; Mortality; Picolinic Acids; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Trace Elements; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamins

Vitamins and minerals play multiple functions within the central nervous system which may help to maintain brain health and optimal cognitive functioning. Supplementation of the diet with various vitamins and minerals has been suggested as a means of maintaining cognitive function, or even of preventing dementia, in later life.. To evaluate the effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on cognitive function in cognitively healthy people aged 40 years or more.. We searched ALOIS, the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's (CDCIG) specialised register, as well as MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO Portal/ICTRP from inception to 26th January 2018.. We included randomised controlled trials that evaluated the cognitive effects on people aged 40 years or more of any vitamin or mineral supplements taken by mouth for at least three months.. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessments were done in duplicate. Vitamins were considered broadly in the categories of B vitamins, antioxidant vitamins, and combinations of both. Minerals were considered separately, where possible. If interventions and outcomes were considered sufficiently similar, then data were pooled. In order to separate short-term cognitive effects from possible longer-term effects on the trajectory of cognitive decline, data were pooled for various treatment durations from 3 months to 12 months and up to 10 years or more.. In total, we included 28 studies with more than 83,000 participants. There were some general limitations of the evidence. Most participants were enrolled in studies which were not designed primarily to assess cognition. These studies often had no baseline cognitive assessment and used only brief cognitive assessments at follow-up. Very few studies assessed the incidence of dementia. Most study reports did not mention adverse events or made only very general statements about them. Only 10 studies had a mean follow-up > 5 years. Only two studies had participants whose mean age was < 60 years at baseline. The risk of bias in the included studies was generally low, other than a risk of attrition bias for longer-term outcomes. We considered the certainty of the evidence behind almost all results to be moderate or low.We included 14 studies with 27,882 participants which compared folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, or a combination of these to placebo. The majority of participants were aged over 60 years and had a history of cardio- or cerebrovascular disease. We found that giving B vitamin supplements to cognitively healthy adults, mainly in their 60s and 70s, probably has little or no effect on global cognitive function at any time point up to 5 years (SMD values from -0.03 to 0.06) and may also have no effect at 5-10 years (SMD -0.01). There were very sparse data on adverse effects or on incidence of cognitive impairment or dementia.We included 8 studies with 47,840 participants in which the active intervention was one or more of the antioxidant vitamins: ß-carotene, vitamin C or vitamin E. Results were mixed. For overall cognitive function, there was low-certainty evidence of benefit associated with ß-carotene after a mean of 18 years of treatment (MD 0.18 TICS points, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.35) and of vitamin C after 5 years to 10 years (MD 0.46 TICS points, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.78), but not at earlier time points. From two studies which reported on dementia incidence, there was low-certainty evidence of no effect of an antioxidant vitamin combination or of vitamin E, either alone or combined with selenium. One of the included studies had been designed to look for effects on the incidence of prostate cancer; it found a statistically significant increase in prostate cancer diagnoses among men taking vitamin E.One trial with 4143 participants compared vitamin D3 (400 IU/day) and calcium supplements to placebo. We found low- to moderate-certainty evidence of no effect. We did not find evidence that any vitamin or mineral supplementation strategy for cognitively healthy adults in mid or late life has a meaningful effect on cognitive decline or dementia, although the evidence does not permit definitive conclusions. There were very few data on supplementation starting in midlife (< 60 years); studies designed to assess cognitive outcomes tended to be too short to assess maintenance of cognitive function; longer studies often had other primary outcomes and used cognitive measures which may have lacked sensitivity. The only positive signals of effect came from studies of long-term supplementation with antioxidant vitamins. These may be the most promising for further research.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Calcium; Cholecalciferol; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Copper; Dementia; Dietary Supplements; Folic Acid; Humans; Middle Aged; Minerals; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Selenium; Vitamin A; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6; Vitamin E; Vitamins; Zinc

Vitamin C has been suggested as beneficial in preventing and curing the common cold, decreasing the incidence of preterm delivery and preeclampsia, decreasing risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, and improving the quality of life by inhibiting blindness and dementia. In this article, we review the hypothesized mechanisms of these purported health benefits and the evidence behind such claims.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Common Cold; Dementia; Female; Humans; Neoplasms; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Vision Disorders; Vitamins

The objective of this review was to evaluate the evidence from human studies on the intake of vitamins, either as monotherapies or in combination with other vitamins, as neuroprotective agents that may delay the onset of cognitive decline in older adults.. Evidence-based methodologies were used to capture and evaluate the highest levels of evidence.. The current evidence available showed no association for cognitive benefits of vitamins B6 or B12 as a monotherapy, and recent systematic reviews provide no clear evidence that supplementation with vitamin B6, B12 and/or folic acid improves dementia outcomes or slows cognitive decline, even though it may normalise homocysteine levels. Meta-analyses from systematic reviews have shown an association between low vitamin D levels and diminished cognitive function, although causality cannot be confirmed from the available evidence. There is no convincing evidence for an association of vitamin A, vitamin C or vitamin E either as a monotherapy or in combination with other antioxidant vitamins such as β-carotene and the prevention of cognitive decline. The appraisal of nineteen systematic reviews and meta-analyses has highlighted the heterogeneity between studies, and the need for better consensus on definitions of cognitive decline, duration of testing and agreement on which specific endpoints are clinically relevant.. Evaluation of the totality of the currently available evidence indicates that intake of the above vitamins, either as a monotherapy, or in combination with other vitamins, has no clinically-relevant effect on delaying cognitive decline or delaying the onset of dementia in older adults.

Topics: Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Dementia; Dietary Supplements; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Vitamin A; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamins

Antioxidant compounds, contained in fruit, vegetables and tea, have been postulated to have a protective effect against age-related cognitive decline by combating oxidative stress. However, recent research on this subject has been conflicting. The aim of this systematic review was to consider current epidemiological and longitudinal evidence for an association between habitual dietary intake of antioxidants and cognition, with consideration given to both cognitive functioning and risk for dementia and its subtypes, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Searches of electronic databases were undertaken to identify peer-reviewed journal articles that reported on associations between antioxidant intakes (vitamins C, E, flavonoids, carotenoids) and cognitive function or risk for dementia. Eight cross-sectional and 13 longitudinal studies were identified and included in the review. There were mixed findings for the association between antioxidant intake, cognition and risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Large heterogeneity in study design, differential control of confounders, insufficient measures of cognitive performance, and difficulties associated with dietary assessment may contribute to the inconsistent findings. Overall, findings do not consistently show habitual intakes of dietary antioxidants are associated with better cognitive performance or a reduced risk for dementia. Future intervention trials are warranted to elucidate the effects of a high intake of dietary antioxidants on cognitive functioning, and to explore effects within a whole dietary pattern.

Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Carotenoids; Cognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dementia; Dementia, Vascular; Diet; Female; Flavonoids; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; MEDLINE; Risk Factors; Vitamin E

This review gives a brief overview of the main types of dementia and summarizes current thinking on the relationship between nutritional-related factors and disorders, and dementia. Dementia is a multi-factor pathological condition, and nutrition is one factor that may play a role on its onset and progression. An optimal intake of nutrients doesn't protect people from dementia. However, studies in this area show that inadequate dietary habits, which are of particular concern in elderly populations, may increase the risk of developing a number of age-related diseases, including disorders of impaired cognitive function. They show that a deficiency in essential nutrients, such as certain B complex vitamins, can result in hyperhomocysteinemia, a well-known risk factor for atherosclerosis and recently associated with cognitive impairment in old age. A deficiency of antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene, as well as nutrition-related disorders like hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and diabetes, may also have some role in cognitive impairment. These factors can be present for a long time before cognitive impairment becomes evident, therefore they could be potentially detected and corrected in a timely manner.

Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Dementia; Diabetes Mellitus; Diet; Humans; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Hyperlipidemias; Hypertension; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Oxidative Stress; Risk Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin E

Dietary flavonoids, including anthocyanins, may positively influence cognition and may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of dementia. We aimed to assess whether daily consumption of anthocyanin-rich cherry juice changed cognitive function in older adults with dementia. Blood pressure and anti-inflammatory effects were examined as secondary outcomes.. A 12-week randomised controlled trial assessed cognitive outcomes in older adults (+70 year) with mild-to-moderate dementia (n = 49) after consumption of 200 ml/day of either a cherry juice or a control juice with negligible anthocyanin content. Blood pressure and inflammatory markers (CRP and IL-6) were measured at 6 and 12 weeks. ANCOVA controlling for baseline and RMANOVA assessed change in cognition and blood pressure.. Improvements in verbal fluency (p = 0.014), short-term memory (p = 0.014) and long-term memory (p ≤ 0.001) were found in the cherry juice group. A significant reduction in systolic (p = 0.038) blood pressure and a trend for diastolic (p = 0.160) blood pressure reduction was evident in the intervention group. Markers of inflammation (CRP and IL-6) were not altered.. Inclusion of an anthocyanin-rich beverage may be a practical and feasible way to improve total anthocyanin consumption in older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia, with potential to improve specific cognitive outcomes.

Topics: Aged; Anthocyanins; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Blood Pressure; Body Mass Index; C-Reactive Protein; Cognition; Dementia; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fruit; Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Hand Strength; Humans; Interleukin-6; Male; Memory; Nutrition Assessment; Prunus avium

Oxidative stress is believed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease. Antioxidants may prevent the onset AD as high dietary intake of vitamin C and E were reported to be associated with lower risk of the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of antioxidants in persons with mild dementia to test whether it is associated with lower levels of antioxidants in a cross-sectional study in the population of the "Activity and Function in the Ederly in Ulm" (ActiFE) study. Main exposure measures were vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, lycopene, and coenzyme Q10 as analyzed by HPLC. Main outcome measures were mild cognitive impairment among 74 mildly demented compared to 158 age- and gender-matched controls. We found that blood vitamin C and β-carotene concentrations were significantly lower in demented than in control persons even after adjusting for school education, intake of dietary supplements, smoking habits, body mass index, and alcohol consumption (3rd versus 1st tertile: OR: 0.29, 95% CI, 0.09-0.96 and 0.13, 95% CI, 0.03-0.55, respectively). No associations were found for vitamin E, lycopene, and coenzyme Q10. Our findings suggest an association of vitamin C and β-carotene with dementia. However this is limited to the cross-sectional character of our study and longitudinal data will give further insight into this association.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Carotenoids; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dementia; Dietary Supplements; Female; Germany; Humans; Male; Population Surveillance

Since increased oxidative stress may impair cognition and be a risk factor for dementia, there has been interest in determining whether use of antioxidants could protect against such events.. To determine whether supplement use of vitamins C and/or E in a community-based sample of older African American and white individuals delayed incident dementia or Alzheimer's disease (AD).. We selected a subgroup from the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly, a longitudinal study of community-representative persons aged 65-105 years living in 5 adjacent counties in North Carolina, and followed them for dementia (1986-1987 through June 2000). Information gathered during in-home interviews included sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health service use, and vitamin use. Diagnosis of dementia and AD was based on evaluations using the clinical and neuropsychological batteries of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease, with final determination by consensus agreement of specialists using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third revision, and National Institute for Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders criteria.. Of 616 persons initially dementia-free (mean age 73 y; 62% female; 62% African American), 141 developed dementia, of whom 93 developed AD. Increased age and mobility problems were risk factors for dementia (only age for AD), while an increased number of outpatient visits reduced the likelihood of developing dementia. Neither use of any vitamins C and/or E (used by 8% of subjects at baseline) nor high-dose use reduced the time to dementia or AD.. In this community in the southeastern US where vitamin supplement use is low, use of vitamins C and/or E did not delay the incidence of dementia or AD.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Cohort Studies; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Dementia; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; North Carolina; Oxidative Stress; Prospective Studies; Vitamin E

Topics: Aged; Aggression; Antipsychotic Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Behavior; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dementia; Drug Synergism; Female; Hospitals, Psychiatric; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurocognitive Disorders; Phenothiazines; Placebos; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Schizophrenia; Vitamin B Complex

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Dementia; Humans

There are few studies of the association between the use of antioxidant vitamin supplements and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cognitive decline is generally viewed as part of the continuum between normal aging and AD.. To evaluate whether the use of vitamin E and C supplements is associated with reduced risks of cognitive impairment, not dementia (CIND), AD, or all-cause dementia in a representative sample of older persons ≥65 years old.. Data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (1991-2002), a cohort study of dementia including 3 evaluation waves at 5-yearly intervals, were used. Exposure to vitamins E and C was self-reported at baseline in a risk factor questionnaire and/or in a clinical examination.. The data set included 5269 individuals. Compared with those not taking vitamin supplements, the age-, sex-, and education-adjusted hazard ratios of CIND, AD, and all-cause dementia were, respectively, 0.77 (95% CI = 0.60-0.98), 0.60 (95% CI = 0.42-0.86), and 0.62 (95% CI = 0.46-0.83) for those taking vitamin E and/or C supplements. Results remained significant in fully adjusted models except for CIND. Similar results were observed when vitamins were analyzed separately.. This analysis suggests that the use of vitamin E and C supplements is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Further investigations are needed to determine their value as a primary prevention strategy.

Topics: Aged; Aging; Alzheimer Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Canada; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cohort Studies; Dementia; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Male; Proportional Hazards Models; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vitamin E

There are conflicting reports about the potential role of vitamin antioxidants in preventing and/or slowing the progression of various forms of cognitive impairment including Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined longitudinal data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, a population-based, prospective 5-year investigation of the epidemiology of dementia among Canadians aged 65+ years. Our primary objective was to examine the association between supplemental use of antioxidant vitamins and subsequent risk of significant cognitive decline (decrease in 3MS score of 10 points or more) among subjects with no evidence of dementia at baseline (n=894). We also explored the relationship between vitamin supplement use and incident vascular cognitive impairment (VCI; including a diagnosis of vascular dementia, possible AD with vascular components and VCI but not dementia), dementia (all cases) and AD. After adjusting for potential confounding factors assessed at baseline, subjects reporting a combined use of vitamin E and C supplements and/or multivitamin consumption at baseline were significantly less likely (adjusted OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.29-0.90) to experience significant cognitive decline during a 5-year follow-up period. Subjects reporting any antioxidant vitamin use at baseline also showed a significantly lower risk for incident VCI (adjusted OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.89). A reduced risk for incident dementia or AD was not observed. Our findings suggest a possible protective effect for antioxidant vitamins in relation to cognitive decline but randomized controlled trials are required for confirmation.

Topics: Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Cognition Disorders; Dementia; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Population Surveillance; Prospective Studies; Vitamin E

A multiple analysis of the cerebral oxidative stress was performed on a physiological model of dementia accomplished by three-vessel occlusion in aged rats. The forward rate constant of creatine kinase, k(for), was studied by saturation transfer (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy in adult and aged rat brain during chronic hypoperfusion. In addition, free radicals in aging rat brain homogenates before and/or after occlusion were investigated by spin-trapping electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). Finally, biochemical measurements of oxidative phosphorylation parameters in the above physiological model were performed. The significant reduction of k(for) in rat brain compared to controls 2 and 10 weeks after occlusion indicates a disorder in brain energy metabolism. This result is consistent with the decrease of the coefficient of oxidative phosphorylation (ADP:O), and the oxidative phosphorylation rate measured in vitro on brain mitochondria. The EPR study showed a significant increase of the ascorbyl free radical concentration in this animal model. Application of alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) spin traps revealed formation of highly reactive hydroxyl radical (.OH) trapped in DMSO as the .CH(3) adduct. It was concluded that the ascorbate as a major antioxidant in brain seems to be useful in monitoring chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Brain; Brain Ischemia; Chronic Disease; Creatine Kinase; Cyclic N-Oxides; Dementia; Disease Models, Animal; Energy Metabolism; Free Radicals; Hydroxyl Radical; Male; Mitochondria; Molecular Conformation; Nitrogen Oxides; Oxidative Phosphorylation; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Spin Trapping

Alzheimer s disease (AD), according to the free radical hypothesis, affects brain regions where free radical damage occurs. Antioxidant nutrients may help to protect these brain regions.. To investigate whether plasma vitamin C and E status is lowered in subjects with AD and dementia.. A case control study was conducted in 93 institutionalized subjects aged 65 + yrs. The dementia group (N = 43) included 15 subjects with Alzheimer s Disease (AD) and 28 subjects with senile dementia, while the control group included 50 subjects with no cognitive impairment. Subjects with uncontrolled hypertension and/or diabetes were excluded from the study. Plasma vitamin C and E was determined using the 2,6- dichlorophenolindophenol and the HPLC methods, respectively. Dietary intake, including dietary supplements, was assessed using a 2-day plate-waste method. Cognitive function was measured using the MMSE and nutritional status assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool.. The control group had significantly higher scores for the MNA, MMSE and Activities of Daily Living, compared with the dementia group. Controls had a significantly higher plasma vitamin C concentration than dementia patients (median = 0.84 (IQR = 0.54) mg/dl and 0.56 (0.80) mg/dl, respectively; P<0.05). The dementia group were more likely to have sub-optimal plasma vitamin C levels (< 0.6 mg/dl) than control subjects (OR = 2.99; 95 % CI = 0.95 9.79; P<0.05), despite having similar dietary vitamin C intakes. Plasma vitamin C was positively associated with MMSE score (r = 0.21; P<0.05). No difference was found between the groups for either plasma or dietary vitamin E.. Plasma vitamin C levels were lower in subjects with dementia compared to controls, which was not explained by their dietary vitamin C intakes. This data supports the free radical theory of oxidative neuronal damage. Further investigations of whether supplementation with this vitamin may prevent or delay the progression of cognitive decline in patients with AD and senile dementia appear warranted.

Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Case-Control Studies; Dementia; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Humans; Male; Nutritional Status; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Vitamin E

Antioxidants have been hypothesized to protect against Alzheimer's disease, but studies conducted in late life have been inconsistent. Risk factors measured in midlife may better predict dementia in late life because they are less affected by the disease process. The authors examined the association of midlife dietary intake of antioxidants to late-life dementia and its subtypes. Data were obtained from the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study, a prospective community-based study of Japanese-American men who were aged 45-68 years in 1965-1968, when a 24-hour dietary recall was administered. The analysis included 2,459 men with complete dietary data who were dementia-free at the first assessment in 1991-1993 and were examined up to two times for dementia between 1991 and 1999. The sample included 235 incident cases of dementia (102 cases of Alzheimer's disease, 38 cases of Alzheimer's disease with contributing cerebrovascular disease, and 44 cases of vascular dementia). Relative risks by quartile of intake were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models with age as the time scale, after adjustment for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, cardiovascular risk factors, other dietary constituents, and apolipoprotein E e4. Intakes of beta-carotene, flavonoids, and vitamins E and C were not associated with the risk of dementia or its subtypes. This analysis suggests that midlife dietary intake of antioxidants does not modify the risk of late-life dementia or its most prevalent subtypes.

Topics: Age Distribution; Aged; Aging; Alzheimer Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Asian; beta Carotene; Dementia; Dementia, Vascular; Diet Surveys; Feeding Behavior; Flavonoids; Hawaii; Humans; Incidence; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Assessment; Smoking; Vitamin E

Laboratory findings have suggested that oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. Therefore, the risk of Alzheimer disease might be reduced by intake of antioxidants that counteract the detrimental effects of oxidative stress.. To determine whether dietary intake of antioxidants is related to risk of Alzheimer disease.. The Rotterdam Study, a population-based, prospective cohort study conducted in the Netherlands.. A total of 5395 participants who, at baseline (1990-1993), were aged at least 55 years, free of dementia, and noninstitutionalized and had reliable dietary assessment. Participants were reexamined in 1993-1994 and 1997-1999 and were continuously monitored for incident dementia.. Incidence of Alzheimer disease, based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition (DSM-III-R) criteria and National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA) criteria, associated with dietary intake of beta carotene, flavonoids, vitamin C, and vitamin E.. After a mean follow-up of 6 years, 197 participants developed dementia, of whom 146 had Alzheimer disease. When adjustments were made for age, sex, baseline Mini-Mental State Examination score, alcohol intake, education, smoking habits, pack-years of smoking, body mass index, total energy intake, presence of carotid plaques, and use of antioxidative supplements, high intake of vitamin C and vitamin E was associated with lower risk of Alzheimer disease (rate ratios [RRs] per 1-SD increase in intake were 0.82 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-0.99] and 0.82 [95% CI, 0.66-1.00], respectively). Among current smokers, this relationship was most pronounced (RRs, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.37-1.14] and 0.58 [95% CI, 0.30-1.12], respectively) and also was present for intake of beta carotene (RR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.27-0.92]) and flavonoids (RR, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.31-0.96]). The associations did not vary by education or apolipoprotein E genotype.. High dietary intake of vitamin C and vitamin E may lower the risk of Alzheimer disease.

Topics: Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Dementia; Dietary Supplements; Female; Flavonoids; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Assessment; Oxidative Stress; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Risk; Vitamin E

Previous reports on the activities of essential endogenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione in dementia patients have not included a simultaneous quantitative assessment of dietary antioxidant intake. This is important because the reported differences in endogenous antioxidant levels among dementia patients may have reflected variations in the total antioxidants' intake. In this study we measured the levels of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E in the diet of 81 dementia patients and controls at the same time as assessing blood levels of three endogenous antioxidants. Results showed a significant decrease in the intake of vitamins C (p < .001) and E (p < .01) in patients with severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) when compared to controls. Patients with mild/moderate AD differed from controls only in the intake of vitamin C (p < .01). The blood levels of catalase but not superoxide dismutase and glutathione were significantly decreased in the patients with severe AD when compared to controls (p < .01), patients with mild/moderate AD (p < .0 1), and patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (p < .05). The blood catalase levels of dementia patients, as a whole, were significantly and positively associated with the intake of vitamins A (p < .05), C (p < .01), and E (p < .05). The results indicated that dietary intake of vitamins A, C, and E may influence blood levels of catalase possibly through their antioxidant effects on free radicals. The data underscore the importance of concurrent quantitative assessment of nutritional intake when measuring endogenous antioxidant activities and support a role for antioxidant supplementation in the treatment of dementia disorders.

Topics: Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Case-Control Studies; Catalase; Dementia; Diet; Diet Surveys; England; Geriatric Assessment; Glutathione; Humans; Nutrition Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Superoxide Dismutase; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

Topics: Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Case-Control Studies; Dementia; Diet; Glutathione Peroxidase; Glutathione Reductase; Humans; Mental Status Schedule; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

In the present study, the effects of vitamins E and C on the levels of neurotransmitters and acetylcholinesterase activity in the brains of rats treated with scopolamine, an inducer of dementia, were examined. Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats at the age of 5 wk were divided into five groups after 1 wk of adaptation and fed five different diets for 6 wk: a no-scopolamine group, which was a scopolamine-untreated group fed only a basal diet: a scopolamine-treated group fed a basal diet; a vitamin E-supplemented scopolamine-treated group: a vitamin C-supplemented scopolamine-treated group; and a vitamins E and C-supplemented scopolamine-treated group. Scopolamine was twice administered by intraperitoneal injection (300 mg/kg, body weight), 3 d and 20 min prior to sacrifice. Brain acetylcholinesterase activity was markedly reduced by scopolamine injection. However, the supplementation of vitamins E and C in the diet significantly increased the reduced brain acetylcholinesterase activity up to the level of the scopolamine-untreated group. Brain serotonin concentration in the vitamin C-supplemented scopolamine-treated group was significantly higher than that in the scopolamine-treated group. However, there were no significant differences in brain dopamine and norepinephrine concentrations among all groups. In conclusion, supplementation with vitamin E and/or vitamin C might be useful in maintaining brain acetylcholinesterase activity at the normal level and serotonin concentration for some extent under the condition to induce dementia by scopolamine administration.

Topics: Acetylcholinesterase; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Brain; Dementia; Dietary Supplements; Dopamine; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Muscarinic Antagonists; Neurotransmitter Agents; Norepinephrine; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Scopolamine; Serotonin; Vitamin E

To determine whether use of vitamin E and C supplements protects against subsequent development of dementia and poor cognitive functioning.. The Honolulu-Asia Aging Study is a longitudinal study of Japanese-American men living in Hawaii. Data for this study were obtained from a subsample of the cohort interviewed in 1982, and from the entire cohort from a mailed questionnaire in 1988 and the dementia prevalence survey in 1991 to 1993. The subjects included 3,385 men, age 71 to 93 years, whose use of vitamin E and C supplements had been ascertained previously. Cognitive performance was assessed with the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument, and subjects were stratified into four groups: low, low normal, mid normal, and high normal. For the dementia analyses, subjects were divided into five mutually exclusive groups: AD (n = 47), vascular dementia (n = 35), mixed/other types of dementia (n = 50), low cognitive test scorers without diagnosed dementia (n = 254), and cognitively intact (n = 2,999; reference).. In a multivariate model controlling for other factors, a significant protective effect was found for vascular dementia in men who had reported taking both vitamin E and C supplements in 1988 (odds ratio [OR], 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.88). They were also protected against mixed/other dementia (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.89). No protective effect was found for Alzheimer's dementia (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 0.91 to 3.62). Among those without dementia, use of either vitamin E or C supplements alone in 1988 was associated significantly with better cognitive test performance at the 1991 to 1993 examination (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.50), and use of both vitamin E and C together had borderline significance (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.995 to 1.39).. These results suggest that vitamin E and C supplements may protect against vascular dementia and may improve cognitive function in late life.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Ascorbic Acid; Cognition; Dementia; Humans; Male; Odds Ratio; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Time Factors; Vitamin E

Topics: Aging; Ascorbic Acid; Cognition; Dementia; Humans; Male; Vitamin E

To test the hypothesis that vitamin C protects against cognitive impairment, the authors conducted a cohort study (n=117) in a retirement community in Sydney, Australia. Vitamin C intake was assessed at baseline (1991) with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, and cognitive function was assessed 4 years later (1995). After adjustment for age, sex, smoking, education, total energy intake, and use of psychotropic medications, consumption of vitamin C supplements was associated with a lower prevalence of more severe cognitive impairment (based on scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination; adjusted odds ratio=0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.18-0.84). There were no associations between vitamin C intake and scores on tests of verbal and category fluency. This study suggests that vitamin C might protect against cognitive impairment.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Cohort Studies; Dementia; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Prevalence; Regression Analysis

Four cases of scurvy diagnosed within a period of two years are reported. They comprised 2 male patients with heavy nicotine and alcohol abuse, a 35-year-old woman with malnutrition due to food supplements phobia, and a 69-year-old woman with malnutrition due to dementia and social isolation. All four patients were adynamic and anemic. Three patients showed typical dermatologic signs with hemorrhagic hyperceratosis, suffusions or cork-screw hair. Two patients complained of parodontol disorders. Other symptoms were gastrointestinal bleeding, sicca syndrome, retinal bleeding, subdural hematoma, edema and arthralgia. Associated disorders were folic acid and vitamin B12 depletion in two cases, and nephropathy and pneumonia with pneumothorax in one case each. In all cases the serum asorbic acid concentration was below the scorbutic level of 11 mumol/l. Historical data, pathogenesis, incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapy of scurvy are discussed. We conclude that scurvy can be observed even in a developed country such as Switzerland at the end of the 20th century. The real incidence may be underestimated because symptoms are not well known and disappear rapidly after admission because of sufficient vitamin C content in normal diet. Patients at risk are socially isolated alcoholics, old people, psychiatric patients and diet enthusiasts. Usually scurvy occurs in conjunction with other deficiencies. Smoking and acute illness enhance ascorbic acid depletion. With a knowledge of the symptomatology of scurvy, it is easy to diagnose and treatment is simple and effective.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alcoholism; Ascorbic Acid; Dementia; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Periodontal Diseases; Scurvy; Smoking; Social Isolation

Concentrations of HVA, 5-HIAA, ascorbic acid, and uric acid in the lumbar and cisternal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured in psychiatric and neurologically impaired patients. The concentration of HVA is 6.1 times and of 5-HIAA 2.7 times higher in cisternal than in lumbar samples, the cisternal level of uric acid is half that of the lumbar region, but no significant differences were found in ascorbic acid concentrations. Correlation between lumbar and cisternal metabolite concentrations is high for 5-HIAA and ascorbic acid, and is less for HVA and uric acid. In cisternal CSF there is a significant correlation between levels of HVA-5-HIAA, 5-HIAA-ascorbic acid, and 5-HIAA-uric acid. These correlations disappear in lumbar CSF. These findings indicate that extrapolations to cisternal neurotransmitter metabolite concentration from lumbar measures are unwarranted for HVA, but not for 5-HIAA.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alcohol Amnestic Disorder; Ascorbic Acid; Brain; Dementia; Female; Homovanillic Acid; Humans; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; Male; Middle Aged; Neurocognitive Disorders; Schizophrenia; Uric Acid

Since nutritional deficiencies might worsen the severity of symptoms and prolong the length of illness in non-nutritional disorders, particularly in the elderly, we examined the nutritional status of 216 elderly women newly admitted to a mental hospital. Compared to healthy elderly women, they had lower values for plasma prealbumin, vitamin C, and B vitamins. This was particularly common in senile dementia, and appeared to be the result of inadequate intake of protein or vitamins. Regular hospital diet for one month corrected the very low levels of prealbumin, but supplements were essential to remove deficiency of the water-soluble vitamins. Although vitamin supplements did not influence the length of stay in hospital, we did not exclude the possibility that nutritional deficiencies have a significant effect on the severity of mental illness.

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Body Weight; Dementia; Dietary Proteins; Female; Humans; Mental Disorders; Prealbumin; Protein Deficiency; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Riboflavin Deficiency; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency; Vitamins

Plasma vitamin C was measured in 885 patients in a psychiatric hospital and in 110 healthy controls. The average value was lower in the patients (0.51 mg/100 ml) than in the controls (0.87 mg/100 ml). Length of stay in hospital had little effect on plasma vitamin C in the patients, but the values were marginally lower in males, females on iron therapy and in those with senile dementia. In the patients, many of whom had been offered a similar diet for several years, age was not associated with a change in plasma vitamin C and this suggests that changes in vitamin C with age that have been reported reflect differences in intake. Few patients had values as low as those found in clinical scurvy (less than 0.1 mg/100 ml), but many (32 per cent) had concentrations below the threshold (0.35 mg/100 ml) at which some detrimental effects on health have been reported.

Topics: Affective Disorders, Psychotic; Age Factors; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Chlorpromazine; Dementia; Female; Hospitals, Psychiatric; Humans; Iron; Length of Stay; Male; Middle Aged; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia; Sex Factors

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amniocentesis; Amniotic Fluid; Arteriosclerosis; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child, Preschool; Chromosome Aberrations; Dementia; Female; Folic Acid; Glutathione; Humans; Infant; Middle Aged; Mutagens; Neoplasms; Pregnancy; Tretinoin

We hypothesize that some cases of idiopathic dementia are due to a gradual undernourishment of the brain with water-soluble vitamins. This occurs because the choroid plexus and possibly other transport loci in the central nervous system become unable to transport water-soluble vitamins from blood into the central nervous system in adequate amounts. If this testable hypothesis is correct, direct injections of vitamins into the ventricular cerebrospinal fluid should ameliorate the development of dementia.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Biological Transport; Blood-Brain Barrier; Choroid Plexus; Dementia; Folic Acid; Humans; Vitamins

The author studied vitamin C metabolism in 125 patients with presenile psychoses. There is a vitamin C deficit in patients, which does not disappear during treatment. In order to remove C hypovitaminosis and to exert a purposeful influence on the metabolism as a nonspecific agent increasing the reactions and reactivity of the organism, the author recommends the use of vitamin C in dosages not less than 500 mg daily.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Dementia; Depression; Female; Humans; Insulin; Male; Paranoid Disorders; Psychotropic Drugs; Sex Factors

A group of 18 long-stay hospital psycho-geriatric patients (aged 64-101 years) and a group of 10 healthy elderly subjects (aged 53-67 years) who were living in their own residence were studied. The group of geriatric patients were suffering from some degree of pressure sores, dementia, irritability and anorexia. Biochemical tests on vitamin adequacy with particular references to ascorbic acid, thiamine and retinal were performed in the subjects. The thiamine status was measured by determining the thiamine pyrophosphate stimulating effect of transketolase enzyme activity in whole blood. The ascorbic acid and retinal nutritures were determined by measuring their levels in plasma. From the biochemical data of the vitamins it would appear that a significant proportion of the long-stay hospital psycho-geriatric patients may be at risk of thiamine, ascorbic acid and retinol deficiencies.

Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Dementia; Female; Humans; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis; Length of Stay; Middle Aged; Thiamine; Thiamine Pyrophosphate; Vitamin A; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Chronic Disease; Colorimetry; Dementia; Female; Humans; Male; Schizophrenia

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Brain; Brain Damage, Chronic; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Dementia; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Therapy; Geriatrics; Humans; Niacin; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia; Urine

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Dementia; Female; Humans; Mental Disorders; Postpartum Period; Psychotic Disorders

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Dementia; Humans; Psychotic Disorders; Vitamin A; Vitamin K; Vitamins