Intake of niacin, folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12 through young adulthood and cognitive function in midlife: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study

Am J Clin Nutr. 2017 Oct;106(4):1032-1040. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.117.157834. Epub 2017 Aug 2.

Abstract

Background: Epidemiologic evidence regarding niacin, folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12 intake in relation to cognitive function is limited, especially in midlife.Objective: We hypothesize that higher intake of these B vitamins in young adulthood is associated with better cognition later in life.Design: This study comprised a community-based multicenter cohort of black and white men and women aged 18-30 y in 1985-1986 (year 0, i.e., baseline) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study (n = 3136). We examined participants' CARDIA diet history at years 0, 7, and 20 to assess nutrient intake, including dietary and supplemental B vitamins. We measured cognitive function at year 25 (mean ± SD age: 50 ± 4 y) through the use of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) for verbal memory, the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) for psychomotor speed, and a modified Stroop interference test for executive function. Higher RAVLT and DSST scores and a lower Stroop score indicated better cognitive function. We used multivariable-adjusted linear regressions to estimate mean differences in cognitive scores and 95% CIs.Results: Comparing the highest quintile with the lowest (quintile 5 compared with quintile 1), cumulative total intake of niacin was significantly associated with 3.92 more digits on the DSST (95% CI: 2.28, 5.55; P-trend < 0.01) and 1.89 points lower interference score on the Stroop test (95% CI: -3.10, -0.68; P-trend = 0.05). Total folate was associated with 2.56 more digits on the DSST (95% CI: 0.82, 4.31; P-trend = 0.01). We also found that higher intakes of vitamin B-6 (quartile 5 compared with quartile 1: 2.62; 95% CI: 0.97, 4.28; P-trend = 0.02) and vitamin B-12 (quartile 5 compared with quartile 1: 2.08; 95% CI: 0.52, 3.65; P-trend = 0.02) resulted in better psychomotor speed measured by DSST scores.Conclusion: Higher intake of B vitamins throughout young adulthood was associated with better cognitive function in midlife.

Keywords: cognitive function; epidemiology; folate; middle age; niacin; vitamin B-12; vitamin B-6.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Alzheimer Disease / etiology
  • Alzheimer Disease / prevention & control
  • Cognition / drug effects*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cognition Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Executive Function
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Folic Acid / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Memory
  • Middle Aged
  • Niacin / administration & dosage*
  • Niacin / pharmacology
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Verbal Learning
  • Vitamin B 12 / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin B 12 / pharmacology
  • Vitamin B 6 / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin B 6 / pharmacology
  • Vitamin B Complex / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin B Complex / pharmacology
  • Vitamin B Deficiency / etiology
  • Vitamin B Deficiency / prevention & control
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Niacin
  • Vitamin B 6
  • Folic Acid
  • Vitamin B 12