Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Support Cognitive Function

Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation enhances cognition in older adults, according to a randomized controlled trial published on December 14, 2011.

Previous research suggests that both folic acid and vitamin B12 are important for maintaining cognitive function, as well as supporting healthy levels of the amino acid homocysteine, which is associated with suboptimal cardiovascular health. This new study lends further support to these previous findings.

In this new study, the subjects included 900 older adults between 60 and 74 years of age with elevated psychological stress. The subjects received 400 mcg of folic acid plus 100 mcg of vitamin B12 daily or a placebo for two years. The subjects completed 10 modules by mail, and the study authors followed up with the subjects using telephone tracking calls. Researchers evaluated cognitive function at 12 and 24 months using questionnaires over the telephone, which evaluated orientation, attention, semantic memory and processing speed.

Compared to placebo, the subjects who received folic acid and vitamin B12 had enhanced performance on the Cognitive Status-Modified questionnaire administered by telephone interview. More specifically, the subjects in the B-vitamin group demonstrated enhanced immediate and delayed recall.

The researchers stated that long-term supplementation of daily oral 400 mcg folic acid plus 100 mcg vitamin B12 promotes enhanced cognitive functioning, particularly in immediate and delayed memory performance.

Reference:

Walker JG, Batterham PJ, Mackinnon AJ, Jorm AF, Hickie I, Fenech M, Kljakovic M, Crisp D, Christensen H. Oral folic acid and vitamin B-12 supplementation to prevent cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults with depressive symptoms--the Beyond Ageing Project: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Dec 14. Published Online Ahead of Print.