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Preventing dementia: how can B vitamins protect your brain?
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Preventing dementia: how can B vitamins protect your brain?

Preventing ageing-related diseases is becoming increasingly important as life expectancy increases and the number of people who develop cognitive impairment rises. Mild cognitive decline is an intermediate state between normal age-related changes and dementia. It is a diagnosis made when perceived changes in cognitive functioning exceed those expected with ageing but are not yet pronounced enough to be defined as dementia. Memory problems and marked forgetfulness occur, but the person remains independent in everyday tasks. Mild cognitive impairment affects 14-18% of individuals over the age of 70, which means that about 14 million people in Europe have this condition. About half of them will develop Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia within five years, so finding ways to slow or prevent this process is crucial.

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The role of homocysteine and b vitamins

One of the risk factors that affects brain function is the level of homocysteine in the blood. Homocysteine is an amino acid produced in the body as part of metabolism, and the B vitamins, especially folic acid (B9), vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, are involved in its further metabolism. Elevated levels of homocysteine are associated with faster brain decline and a higher risk of developing dementia. The research presented below investigated whether B vitamin supplementation can reduce the rate of brain atrophy in older individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Magnetic resonance imaging allows us to assess brain atrophy.

Mild cognitive impairment affects 14-18% of individuals over the age of 70, about half of whom will develop Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia within five years.

Research: can b vitamins slow brain decline?

The study involved 168 people over the age of 70 who experienced memory problems. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: one receiving high daily doses of B vitamins (0.8 mg folic acid, 0.5 mg vitamin B12 and 20 mg vitamin B6 per day) and the other a placebo. The study lasted 24 months. Before the start of the study, their brains were imaged by MRI, and then repeated two years later. This way, they could compare the changes in the brain and assess the degree of brain atrophy. Homocysteine levels were also measured in the blood during the study.

The results showed that compared to placebo, treatment with B vitamins reduced blood levels of homocysteine by 31.7% and slowed brain atrophy by almost 30%. The scientists observed no adverse effects, suggesting that high-dose B vitamins could help reduce brain atrophy in older people with mild cognitive decline. In individuals with the highest homocysteine levels before the start of the study, the reduction in atrophy rates was as high as 53%.

Although the study was not designed to directly measure the effect of B vitamins on cognitive ability, a subsequent analysis showed a correlation between cognitive ability test scores and the degree of brain atrophy. This suggests that the degree of brain atrophy is one of the main determinants of cognitive decline in this population.

What does this mean for dementia prevention?

  • The findings suggest that B vitamin supplementation can have a significant impact on brain health and slow down the processes that lead to dementia. Although further research is needed to assess the long-term effects, the study clearly suggests that B vitamin supplementation plays an important role in preventing the decline of brain function. As with any dietary supplement, however, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking B vitamins.

The study showed that treatment with B vitamins slowed brain decline by almost 30% compared to placebo. No adverse effects were observed, suggesting that high doses of B vitamins could help reduce brain atrophy in older people with mild cognitive decline.

Sources and literature:

  1. Smith AD, Smith SM, de Jager CA, Whitbread P, Johnston C, et al. (2010) Homocysteine-Lowering by B Vitamins Slows the Rate of Accelerated Brain Atrophy in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PLOS ONE 5(9): e12244. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0012244
  2. eDementia. (n.d.). What is mild cognitive decline? Retrieved 12 February 2025 from website https://edemenca.si/kaj-je-blag-kognitivni-upad/
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