Elevated Homocysteine and Schizophrenia (2007)

Elevated plasma levels of the amino acid homocysteine have been associated with schizophrenia, particularly in young male patients. Among other factors, low folic acid and vitamin B12 levels have been implicated in the increase in homocysteine.

In this study, 100 inpatients with chronic schizophrenia and 100 ‘normal controls’ had their blood levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid measured. While there was no difference in blood levels of  folic acid or B12, the schizophrenia patients had higher homocysteine (15.42 v 11.54 µmol/l, p<0.001).

Both young and older females as well as younger males with schizophrenia had increased plasma homocysteine compared to controls. We therefore suggest that homocysteinemia is a general risk factor for schizophrenia

Haidemenos A, et al., Plasma homocysteine, folate and B12 in chronic schizophrenia, Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Aug 15;31(6):1289-96

Click here for the abstract

Cognitive Activity& Lifespan (2012)

This study investigated cognitive activity & lifespan.  In this study, researchers wanted to compare cognitive and physical activity taken over a person’s lifetime with the amount of a protein called ß-amyloid which had been deposited in their brain. ß-amyloid is the protein which is the key marker of Alzheimer’s disease. In total they studied 86 people (65 healthy older individuals with an average age of 76 years, 10 Alzheimer’s patients with an average age of 75 years, and 11 young healthy people with an average age of 25 years).

The researchers found a significant association between lower levels of ß-amyloid and greater participation in cognitively stimulating activities across the lifespan, particularly when undertaken in early and middle life. The researchers’ findings suggest that keeping your brain active throughout life may prevent or slow deposition of ß-amyloid, perhaps influencing the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Landau SM, Marks SM, Mormino EC, Rabinovici GD, Oh H, O’Neil JP, Wilson RS, Jagust WJ. (2012) Association of Lifetime Cognitive Engagement and Low ß-Amyloid Deposition.Arch Neurol. Jan 23. [Epub ahead of print]

Click here for the abstract

Omega-3 & Pregnancy (2008)

This study explored omega 3 & pregnancy. Canadian researchers found that higher levels of the omega-3 DHA in the umbilical cord at birth was associated with better vision at 6 months of age and better performance in mental and coordination tests at 11 months in a study of 109 babies. Higher levels of DHA were also associated with a lower rate of pre-term delivery. The same benefits to the baby were not seen from DHA in breast milk, leading the researchers to assert that DHA is particularly important in the 3rd trimester as the brain goes through a ‘growth spurt’. DHA is found in oily fish and seed oils.

J L Jacobson et al. ‘Beneficial effects of a polyunsaturated fatty acid on infant development: evidence from the inuit of arctic Quebec.’ J Pediatr. 2008 Mar;152(3):356-64

Click here for the abstract

Omega 3 & Breast Milk (2001)

This study explored omega 3 & breast milk. The Omega-3 fatty acid DHA found in oily fish has a role in visual development in infants. In a study of 39 breast-fed infants, it was found that the mothers who consumed the most fish had the highest levels of DHA in their breast milk. The babies who were fed on breast milk with the highest levels of DHA had the best visual development. This may have implications for dyslexia, but further research is required to substantiate further.

M H Jørgensen et al., ‘Is there a relation between docosahexaenoic acid concentration in mothers’ milk and visual development in term infants?’, J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.32(3):293-6, 2001

Click here for the abstract

Chromium & Depression (2003)

This study investigated chromium & depression. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study of 15 subjects, chromium picolinate was observed to improved the moods of 70% of those taking chromium compared with 0% on placebo. Two hypothesised mechanisms of actions with relation to the observed results include 5HT2A downregulation and increased insulin sensitivity. However, due to the small sample number further studies are warranted including a greater number of participants to explore this area further.

Davidson et al., ’Effectiveness of chromium in atypical depression: a placebo-controlled trial’, Biol Psychiatry, 53(3):261-4, 2003

Click here fore the abstract

Cognitive Performance & Fish Intake (2007)

This study examined the relationship between cognitive performance & fish intake. The study included 2,031 elderly Norwegians. The researchers report those eating at least 10 grams of fish a day performed significantly better in tests for cognitive performance, compared with people who ate less than 10 grams of fish and fish products. The best test scores occurred in those who consumed the most fish and fish products, which equates to 75 grams per day. Positive effects were observed to be more pronounced in unprocessed fish compared with processed fish intake. Interestingly, there was no significant difference between the consumption of lean or fatty fish, suggesting that the effects were due to something other than omega-3 fatty acids. However, further research is required to explore this area further.

Click here for the abstract

Nurk E et al., ‘Cognitive performance among the elderly and dietary fish intake: the Hordaland Health Study’, Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Nov;86(5):1470-8

Omega 3 & Cognitive Decline (2007)

This study investigated omega 3 & cognitive decline. This was a prospective study of 2,000 people aged 50 to 65 years old. Results indicated that risk of global cognitive decline increased with elevated palmitic acid in both fractions and with high arachidonic acid and low linoleic acid in cholesteryl esters. Higher n-3 HUFAs reduced the risk of decline in verbal fluency, particularly in hypertensive and dyslipidemic subjects.

M A Beydoun, ‘Plasma n-3 fatty acids and the risk of cognitive decline in older adults: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study’, Am J Clin Nutr., vol 85(4):1103-1111, 2007

Click here for the abstract

Calcium & Cognitive Decline (2007)

A total of 4,500 elderly people were involved in a 5-11 year study of the effects of blood calcium levels on cognitive decline. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and other measures of attention and memory. Higher levels of blood calcium (but still within the normal levels) was associated with worse cognitive function at the beginning of the study. They were also associated with a faster rate of decline in cognitive function during follow-up.

Schram MT et al, ‘Serum calcium and cognitive function in old age’, J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007 Nov;55(11):1786-92

Click here for the abstract

Folic Acid & Cognition (2007)

This study explored folic acid & cognition. In this study, over 1000 elderly people who were not having problems with their memory or mental function underwent a battery of tests. These tests showed that those with the highest blood levels of folic acid scored the best on tests of their ‘global cognitive function’ and ‘psychomotor speed’ – essentially their mental agility. These findings require further investigations to determine their relevance in subjects with dementia.

de Lau LM et al. ‘Plasma folate concentration and cognitive performance: Rotterdam Scan Study,’ Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Sep;86(3):728-34

Click here for the abstract

Folic Acid & Memory (2007)

This study investigated folic acid & memory. Absent-mindedness in the over-50s is significantly improved when people take folic acid supplements, according to this large study. Short-term memory, mental agility and verbal fluency tests were all better among people who took the supplement for three years, compared with a group given a placebo.

J Durga et al, ‘Effect of 3-year folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in older adults in the FACIT trial: a randomised, double blind, controlled trial ‘, The Lancet; 369:208-216, 2007

Click here for the abstract.