Folic Acid Deficiency in the Elderly

Marcus, David L.; Freedman, Michael L.

doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.1985.tb04621.x

Cited by 19 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Fourth, we excluded persons who received supplements of vitamin B 12 or folic acid ( n = 19). In addition, persons were screened for drugs known to interact with folate uptake and lead to folate deficiency (Marcus & Freedman, 1985). Hence, those who were taking anticonvulsants ( n = 2), antimetabolites ( n = 1), or trimethoprim ( n = 1) were excluded from the study sample.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of serum vitamin B₁₂ and folate status on episodic memory performance in very old age: A population-based study.

Wåhlin¹,

Hill²,

Winblad³

et al. 1996

Psychology and Aging

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We examined the relationship between low levels of serum vitamin B12 (< 200 pmol/L) and folic acid (< 11 nmol/L), separately or combined, and episodic memory performance in very old age. Participants with low serum vitamin values were compared with a control group matched for age and educational level. Participants (N = 250) were selected from a group of nondemented, community-dwelling persons ages 75-96. Episodic memory was tested by means of free recall and recognition of slowly and rapidly presented words. Results indicated a deterioration in both free recall and recognition as a function of serum vitamin status. However, no linear effects of vitamin levels on memory were observed, indicating that vitamin B12 and folic acid status may effect memory only among individuals at the low end of the distribution. We speculate that the vitamin-related memory deficit may reflect encoding problems, possibly due to alterations in brain metabolism.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reasons for folate deficiency are similarly manifold. Examples include malabsorption of polyglutamates (Baker, Jaslow, & Frank, 1978), nutritional deficiency, bowel disease, enzymatic failures in the folate pathway, drug–folate interactions (Marcus & Freedman, 1985), and alcoholism (Rosenberg, Bowman, Cooper, Halsted, & Lindenbaum, 1982).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of serum vitamin B₁₂ and folate status on episodic memory performance in very old age: A population-based study.

Wåhlin¹,

Hill²,

Winblad³

et al. 1996

Psychology and Aging

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show abstract

“…Baker et al (1978) reported that the same mechanism may be defective in human aging, because malabsorption was observed for polyglutamates but not for monoglutamates. This is only one of the reasons why folate deficiency is prevalent in the aged population (Brocker et al, 1986;Infante-Rivard et al, 1986;Marcus & Freedman, 1985;Rosenberg et a]. , 1982).…”

Section: The Old Rat Is a Good Model To Test Folate-responsive Disordersmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Folate deficiency is the most prevalent vitamin deficiency in the general population of many countries, including the United States, Canada, and France (Brocker, Lebel, Maurin, & Lods, 1986;Infante-Rivard, Krieger, Gascon-Barre, & Rivard, 1986;Marcus & Freedman, 1985;Rosenberg, Bowman, Cooper, Halsted, & Lindenbaum, 1982). This is especially true in the elderly population, particularly the institutionalized elderly, because factors such as illness, depression, bad cooking habits, and drug use may reduce the intake or absorption of folic acid.…”

Section: Prevalence Of Folate Deficiencymentioning

confidence: 97%

Are age-related behavioral disorders improved by folate administration?

Joyal

Lalonde

Vīķis-Freibergs

et al. 1993

Experimental Aging Research

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In this brief review of the possible link between age-related behavioral disorders and brain folate levels, preliminary data on humans and animals are presented. These data indicate that folate administration may improve some age-related behavioral dysfunctions. In aged humans and rats, there is a defect in the absorption of dietary folate, leading perhaps to a decrease in brain folate levels. If so, folate therapy may replenish brain stores of folates and may reverse some age-related behavioral deficits. Some questions concerning the possible relationship among mood status, intellectual functions, and folate levels in aging are discussed.

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“…Poor dietary habits can lead to folate deficiency. Certain drugs such as anticonvulsants and oral contraceptives can impair the absorption of folate, while anticonvulsants increase the rate of folate metabolism (Marcus & Freedman 1985, Swain & St Clair 1997).…”

Section: Role Of Nutritionmentioning

confidence: 99%