Vitamin D Deficiency and Cognitive Decline are Associated in Older Adults

A latest study provides further evidence of the strong association between deficiency of vitamin D and cognitive decline among older adults.

Though several studies have looked at the association between the two factors, there is not much conclusive research. Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center examined the link between Vitamin D and cognitive function and took a step further in understand the association between the two factors.

"This study provides increasing evidence that suggests there is an association between low vitamin D levels and cognitive decline over time," said lead author Valerie Wilson, M.D., assistant professor of geriatrics at Wake Forest Baptist. "Although this study cannot establish a direct cause and effect relationship, it would have a huge public health implication if vitamin D supplementation could be shown to improve cognitive performance over time because deficiency is so common in the population."

For this study, the researchers worked on data retrieved from the Health, Aging and Body composition (Health ABC). They examined 2,777 healthy adults of age 70-79. The participant's cognitive function was measured at the onset of the study and again four years after the study. Researchers measured the participants Vitamin D level at 12-month follow up visit.

The study included 3,075 Medicare-eligible, white and black, well-functioning, community-dwelling older adults who were recruited between April 1997-June 1998.

"With just the baseline observational data, you can't conclude that low vitamin D causes cognitive decline. When we looked four years down the road, low vitamin D was associated with worse cognitive performance on one of the two cognitive tests used," Wilson said. "It is interesting that there is this association and ultimately the next question is whether or not supplementing vitamin D would improve cognitive function over time."

According to the researchers further randomized, controlled trials are required in order to determine whether cognitive decline among older adults can be prevented using Vitamin D supplements.

This information is useful for healthcare providers in order to provide recommendations to their patients. Further studies will help evaluate whether particular cognitive domains are sensitive to low levels of Vitamin D.

Studies conducted earlier showed low and high levels of vitamin D in older women were linked to increased likelihood of frailty including weakness and slowness.