[mrsD]

This paper is getting alot of attention in the press. There are many links to the media on the net now. However, those media links do not last long...so I found the original abstract:

Neurology. 2011 Sep 27;77(13):1276-82.
Vitamin B12, cognition, and brain MRI measures: A cross-sectional examination.
Tangney CC, Aggarwal NT, Li H, Wilson RS, Decarli C, Evans DA, Morris MC.
Source

Department of Clinical Nutrition 425 TOB, Rush University Medical Center, 1700 West Van Buren St., Chicago, IL 60612 ctangney@rush.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the interrelations of serum vitamin B12 markers with brain volumes, cerebral infarcts, and performance in different cognitive domains in a biracial population sample cross-sectionally.
METHODS:

In 121 community-dwelling participants of the Chicago Health and Aging Project, serum markers of vitamin B12 status were related to summary measures of neuropsychological tests of 5 cognitive domains and brain MRI measures obtained on average 4.6 years later among 121 older adults.
RESULTS:

Concentrations of all vitamin B12-related markers, but not serum vitamin B12 itself, were associated with global cognitive function and with total brain volume. Methylmalonate levels were associated with poorer episodic memory and perceptual speed, and cystathionine and 2-methylcitrate with poorer episodic and semantic memory. Homocysteine concentrations were associated with decreased total brain volume. The homocysteine-global cognition effect was modified and no longer statistically significant with adjustment for white matter volume or cerebral infarcts. The methylmalonate-global cognition effect was modified and no longer significant with adjustment for total brain volume.
CONCLUSIONS:

Methylmalonate, a specific marker of B12 deficiency, may affect cognition by reducing total brain volume whereas the effect of homocysteine (nonspecific to vitamin B12 deficiency) on cognitive performance may be mediated through increased white matter hyperintensity and cerebral infarcts. Vitamin B12 status may affect the brain through multiple mechanisms.

PMID:
21947532
[PubMed - in process]

What this paper discusses is the MMA test which is specific to show if B12 is being utilized. In general it pertains to the levels of B12 also but only indirectly. A low B12 reading will raise MMA levels. MMA test is slowly being accepted for elderly screening for low B12 activity today.

This is one media link: I don't expect it to be active forever, but I'll post it because it is in the news today:
http://www.wbaltv.com/r/29307110/detail.html

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by mrsD

This paper is getting alot of attention in the press. There are many links to the media on the net now. However, those media links do not last long...so I found the original abstract:



What this paper discusses is the MMA test which is specific to show if B12 is being utilized. In general it pertains to the levels of B12 also but only indirectly. A low B12 reading will raise MMA levels. MMA test is slowly being accepted for elderly screening for low B12 activity today.

This is one media link: I don't expect it to be active forever, but I'll post it because it is in the news today:
http://www.wbaltv.com/r/29307110/detail.html

Hi.

I've been taking the Malic Acid from Puritan's pride.

For years now.

The bottle says 825 mg 180 coated tablets
and this consists of Magnesium (from Magnesium Malage) 50 mg
and Malic Acid (from Magnesium Malate 825 mg


I hope this is good because I just got my blood work done, and had an exam and Dr. Fred says I'm EXCELLENT!!!

So....so far so good.

I wonder if it's all the green stuff I eat every day.

I'm probably filled with clorophyll.

lol

Melody