Most Viewed Abstracts
1. Report Shows Shift in Starting Salaries for Physicians 2. Recommendations on the use of 18F-FDG PET in oncology 3. Use of Antiemetic Agents in Acute Gastroenteritis 4. Gene expression signatures, clinicopathological features, and individualized therapy in breast cancer 5. AHA Guidelines on Cardiac CT for Assessing Coronary Artery Disease
Your Article Summary
Homocysteine as a predictor of cognitive decline in Alzheimers disease
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 06/02/09
Oulhaj A et al. - Raised homocysteine concentrations within the normal range among the elderly strongly relate to the rate of global cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer disease. Plasma homocysteine can readily be lowered by B-vitamin treatment and trials should be carried out to see if such treatments can slow the rate of cognitive decline in relatively young patients with Alzheimer disease.
Methods- In 97 patients with AD, 73 pathologically-confirmed,
- This study analysed the decline of global cognitive test scores (CAMCOG) over time from the first assessment for at least three 6-monthly visits up to a maximum of 9.5 years (in total 689 assessments). Non-linear mixed-effects statistical models were used.
- Baseline homocysteine levels showed a concentration-response relationship with the subsequent rate of decline in CAMCOG scores: the higher the homocysteine, the faster the decline.
- The relationship was significant in patients aged < 75 years who had not suffered a prior stroke.
- For example, in patients aged 65 years with a baseline homocysteine of 14 µmol/L, the decline from a CAMCOG score of 88 to a score of 44 occurred 19.2 (95% CI 6.8, 31.6) months earlier than in patients with a baseline homocysteine of 10 µmol/L.
A. David Smith, 06/03/09
| The findings have two main clinical implications: first, a high baseline homocysteine level can be used to predict that a patient is likely to decline more rapidly; second, since homocysteine levels can be lowered by B vitamin treatment, trials should be initiated on Alzheimer patients who are aged less than 75 to see if lowering homocysteine can slow disease progression. Whether or not high homocysteine is causal, it is certainly a good prognostic marker. |
Today in Geriatrics...keeping you current
Receive free subspecialty "5-minute updates" via email
Acute medical management of the non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) in older patients
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 10/14/09
Biphasic effects of hormone treatment on risk of cardiovascular disease
Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause, 10/20/09
Practical strategies for management of hypertension in the elderly
Geriatrics, 10/21/09
Today in Women`s Health...keeping you current
Receive free subspecialty "5-minute updates" via email
FDA Approves Gardasil to Prevent Genital Warts in Males. Agency Also Approves Bivalent HPV Vaccine for Girls, Young Women
American Family Physician, 10/21/09
Biphasic effects of hormone treatment on risk of cardiovascular disease
Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause, 10/20/09
Broken-hearted women: the complex relationship between depression and cardiovascular disease
Women's Health, 11/04/09
Article Search
Sponsor


See Latest Articles


