Stop Your Brain from Shrinking!

Oxford, UK, scientists have found a link between low (but still normal) levels of vitamin B12 and brain atrophy, or shrinkage. Brain shrinkage over time is associated with mental decline, or cognitive impairment. Writing in the journal Neurology, they describe a study of 100-odd elderly volunteers over a 5-year period. The participants’ ages ranged from 61 to 87, and they were free from any cognitive impairment on enrollment. Annual clinical exams, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and mental tests were done. Blood taken at baseline recorded vitamin B12 and related substances.

The subjects were classified into 3 groups, based on their level of vitamin B12. The loss in brain volume over 5 years was greatest in those from the lowest B12 levels, compared with those with the highest levels; brain volume loss was intermediate with the middle B12 group.

The loss of brain volume over 5 years was twice as great in the lowest B12 group, and this difference persisted after making allowances for possible interfering factors, e.g. initial brain size, age, sex, education, and mental test scores.

The scientists emphasize that this study shows “an association, but not a causal connection” between vitamin B12 levels and the rate of declining brain volume in older persons. It’s too early to recommend that the elderly should be taking supplemental vitamin B12 – that’s the subject of a study now being conducted by the Oxford group. In the meantime, it’s encouraging for fitness enthusiasts to know that exercise has been shown to prevent brain shrinkage . . .