Affiliations: [a] Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA | [b] Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA | [c] Department of Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA | [d] Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA | [e] Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA | [f] Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA | [g] Department of Clinical Nutrition, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA | Center for Cellular Neurobiology and Neurodegeneration Research, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
Abstract: The B-vitamins, including vitamins B12, B6, B1, B2, niacin (B3) and folate (B9), have been implicated as protective risk factors against cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. This commentary reviews the evidence to support protective relations of these vitamins, including consideration of known vitamin deficiency syndromes, theories of underlying biologic mechanisms, and the epidemiologic evidence. We also comment on the potential benefits and harms of vitamin supplementation as well as make recommendations for the direction of future studies.
