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Study reveals folic acid, Alzheimer's disease linkBy SUE LANDRY © St. Petersburg Times, published October 19, 1998 Researchers at Oxford University in England found that 76 patients with Alzheimer's all had elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine in their blood along with decreased levels of folic acid and B-12. The levels were significantly different from those found in 108 people with no signs of Alzheimer's disease. But one of the researchers, A. David Smith, said it is too early to tell if the finding will lead to new treatments. In fact, researchers aren't sure whether the changes in the blood are a cause of the disease or if the disease causes the changes. "These findings are important because they provide a testable hypothesis that it may be possible to prevent Alzheimer's disease from developing in a portion of potential sufferers," said Smith, who spoke Sunday at the American Medical Association's 17th Annual Science Reporters Conference. "I think this evidence is suggestive, but not conclusive yet." The discovery came as part of a long-term study of 570 people who have been tracked for 10 years. OPTIMA, or the Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Aging, showed that the onset of Alzheimer's disease tends to be sudden. Because of that, researchers thought the disease might be triggered by an event in the brain, such as a reduced blood supply to an important area of the organ. Since elevated levels of homocysteine have been linked with heart disease, the Oxford researchers thought it might also be linked with Alzheimer's. The study, published in the November issue of the AMA's Archives of Neurology, showed there is a link. "Since these biochemical changes can be largely reversed by giving supplements of folic acid, does this mean we could prevent several thousands of cases of Alzheimer's disease by giving folic acid?" Smith asked. That question could take at least seven years to answer since it will require following people for a significant amount of time, he said. Meanwhile, Smith warned that the elderly should think twice before rushing out to buy folic acid supplements. Taking too much folic acid can be dangerous because it can mask the symptoms of B-12 deficiency. People should check with their doctor before taking any supplements, Smith said.
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URHAM, N.C. -- A newly discovered connection between Alzheimer's disease and low levels of folic acid and vitamin B-12 raises the possibility that some cases of the mind-robbing disease could be prevented by taking supplements.
