Affiliations: [a] Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea | [b] Department of Radiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea | [c] Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea | [d] Center for Geriatric Neuroscience Research, Institute of Biomedical Science, Konkuk Medical Science Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Seol-Heui Han, 143-729, Konkuk University Medical Center, 120-1 Neungdong-ro (Hwayang-dong), Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Tel.: +82 2 2030 7460; Fax: +82 2 2030 7469; E-mail: alzdoc@kuh.ac.kr.
Abstract: Background:Emerging evidence suggests that low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) may induce cognitive decline and dementia, however, the pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood. Objective:We sought to determine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and neuronal integrity in cognitively impaired patients. Methods:One hundred nine patients with memory impairment were divided into quartiles according to serum concentrations of 25OHD concentration, from lowest (L-25OHD) to highest (H-25OHD). The diffusion tensor images from the L-25OHD group and the H-25OHD group were assessed. A mask of regional white matter hyperintensities was obtained in the T1-weighted image space. Data were analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics with a nonlinear registration algorithm. Results:Patients in the L-25OHD group had lower fractional anisotropy values compared with patients in the H-25OHD group in the frontal parts of the inferior and superior longitudinal fasciculi, cingulum bundle, corpus callosum (genu), anterior limb of the internal capsule, and anterior corona radiata (familywise error corrected, p < 0.05). Conclusions:Vitamin D deficiency is associated with disruption of neuronal integrity, primarily in frontal regions. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to the loss of neuroprotective properties in cerebral ischemia and vascular lesions, contributing to memory impairment.
Keywords: Cognitive decline, imaging, nutritional, vitamin D
