Associations of lower vitamin D concentrations with cognitive decline and long-term risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older adults

Alzheimers Dement. 2017 Nov;13(11):1207-1216. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.03.003. Epub 2017 May 16.

Abstract

Introduction: Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with several chronic conditions; yet, its association with cognitive decline and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been inconsistent.

Methods: The study population consisted of 916 participants from the Three-City Bordeaux cohort aged 65+, nondemented at baseline, with assessment of vitamin D status and who were followed for up to 12 years.

Results: In multivariate analysis, compared with individuals with 25(OH)D sufficiency (n = 151), participants with 25(OH)D deficiency (n = 218) exhibited a faster cognitive decline. A total of 177 dementia cases (124 AD) occurred: 25(OH)D deficiency was associated with a nearly three-fold increased risk of AD (hazard ratio = 2.85, 95% confidence interval 1.37-5.97).

Discussion: This large prospective study of French older adults suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D status in older age could contribute to slow down cognitive decline and to delay or prevent the onset of dementia, especially of AD etiology.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Cognitive decline; Dementia; Prospective studies; Risk factors in epidemiology; Vitamin D.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease* / blood
  • Alzheimer Disease* / complications
  • Alzheimer Disease* / epidemiology
  • Cognition Disorders / blood*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dementia* / blood
  • Dementia* / complications
  • Dementia* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Vitamin D / blood*

Substances

  • Vitamin D