UMaine Researchers Assess Link Between Homocysteine, Vitamins and Cognitive Ability
Contact: Merrill Elias (207) 581-2097; Michael Robbins (207) 581-2051; David Munson (207) 581-3777
ORONO, Maine — In an ongoing, 30-year study that explores the connections between cognitive abilities and cardiovascular disease, UMaine psychology professors Merrill Elias, Michael Robbins, and Penelope K. Elias are defining the role of the amino acid homocysteine in cognitive function, discovering important connections between the neurotoxic product of metabolism and a wide range of cognitive abilities.
The latest paper to be produced by the study, published in a recent issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, shows that high homocysteine concentrations in the blood are related to a wide range of cognitive abilities, including working memory, abstract reasoning, visual-spatial organization and others. The study also makes an important connection between homocysteine levels and the concentration of certain vitamins.
“We have an extraordinarily comprehensive battery of cognitive tests, and were astounded to see that high homocysteine concentrations had a negative effect in almost all areas of cognitive ability,” said Elias. “Part of the reason that this research is so exciting is that the effects of homocysteine can be reduced with vitamins that Americans can buy right off the shelf.”
In this same study, folate and B6 were positively associated with cognitive performance. Ongoing clinical trials in other laboratories have shown that supplementing the three vitamins by appropriate amounts, lowers blood homocysteine levels and thus may result in an improvement in cognitive performance.
“The bottom line is that homocysteine is not good for the brain,” said Elias. “But, with the intake of adequate amounts of B6, B12 and folate and the minimization of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, its impact on cognitive ability may be reduced