Cognitive Decline

Added: (Sun Jul 15 2001)

Pressbox (Press Release) - PRESS RELEASE.
27th June 2001

EMBARGOED UNTIL 1ST JULY 2001:

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Homocysteine predicts Cognitive Decline in Healthy Elderly:

Wrexham, North Wales, 1st July 2001:

Research funded by the Wales Office of Research and Development concerning ageing, cognitive decline, and the amino acid homocysteine will be presented at the 3rd International Conference on Homocysteine Metabolism in Sorrento this week (1st-5th July). The research, based at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital, is the latest in a series of studies investigating the association between Vitamin B12 and dementia - the “COBALZ” project.

The work is led by Dr Andrew McCaddon, a General Practitioner in Rhosllanerchrugog, North Wales, and an Honorary Research Fellow of the University of Wales College of Medicine. Dr McCaddon comments “Although our results show that homocysteine levels in blood predict cognitive decline, it is not yet known whether reducing homocysteine slows down this process.” Blood homocysteine levels can be lowered by folic acid and Vitamin B12, but the results of other studies into the effects of these supplements are awaited.

In 1998 the COBALZ team discovered raised blood levels of homocysteine in patients with Alzheimer Disease. This was subsequently confirmed by the Oxford based OPTIMA project. However, it was not known whether these elevated levels were a cause or an effect of the disease.

Now, the COBALZ team have found that homocysteine predicts the rate of cognitive decline in healthy elderly over a 5-year period; higher blood levels are associated with a more rapid decline in mental faculties. This suggests that elevated homocysteine contributes to, rather than results from, impaired cognitive function. The research findings will be formally published in the September edition of “Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders.”

The COBALZ team will also present the results of other investigations concerning the blood transport of Vitamin B12, and the effect of ageing on B12 metabolism. Dr McCaddon’s particular interest in this field was prompted by a consultation 10 years ago with a patient suffering from early-onset Alzheimer Disease and Vitamin B12 deficiency.

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The COBALZ team comprise Andrew McCaddon, Gareth Davies, Peter Hudson, Alwyn Lloyd, Steve Tandy, Jenny Duguid, Clare Wilkinson and John Williams (Wales), Alan Hughes, Joan Barber and Rob Gray (Scotland), Bjorn Regland and Kaj Blennow (Sweden).

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For further information, please contact:

Andrew McCaddon
Gardden Road Surgery
Rhosllanerchrugog
Wrexham
North Wales
UK
LL14 2EN
Phone: +44 (0)1978 840034/842177
Fax: +44 (0)1978 845782
Andrew@mccaddon.demon.co.uk
http://www.mccaddon.demon.co.uk/cobalz

OR:
Gareth Davies MSc
Head Biomedical Scientist
Wrexham Maelor Hospital
North Wales
UK
Phone: +44 (0)1978 725345


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Andrew McCaddon, Wrexham, Wales, UK – Andrew@mccaddon.demon.co.uk

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