Folic Acid Boosts Cognition in Older Adults

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Cognitive function, especially areas such as information processing speed and memory, decline with age. These cognitive changes have been linked to a risk of dementia.

For this study, first reported at the Alzheimer's Association's 2005 prevention conference, researchers randomly assigned 818 older adults in Holland, aged 50 to 70 years old, to receive 800 micrograms of folic acid supplementation daily or a placebo for three years.

All participants had low folate levels, as evidenced by elevated homocysteine concentrations.

Adults who received the folic acid supplementation had improved cognitive functioning, especially in the areas of memory and information processing speed. What's more, folate concentration increased 576 percent in those getting the supplements, and homocysteine levels fell 26 percent.

"Folate can help people with high homocysteine levels," Carrillo confirmed. "This is in line with what we have been thinking."

The same Dutch researchers, reporting in the Jan. 2 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that people who took a folic acid supplement had less decline in hearing low-frequency sounds over time, compared with people who didn't take the supplement.

More information

The National Institute on Aging has more on aging and dietary supplements, including vitamins and minerals.