Gender differences in folate status are associated with cognition in healthy Irish elderly adults

In elderly populations, cognitive impairment and incident dementia may be related to inadequate vitamin B status, predominantly folate and vitamin B12. Folate deficiency has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease as well as preceding the onset of other dementia(1), while low folate and vitamin B12 have been associated with depressive symptoms(2). Functional deterioration may also increase with folate deficiency(3). The aim of this study was to examine associations between B vitamins (serum folate and vitamin B12) and measures of cognition in a sample of healthy Irish adults.