Nutraceutical: B vitamins

Indication: Depression

Source: Am J Clin Nutr, January 2012;95 (1):194-203.

Research: The objective of this study was to determine whether oral folic acid (FA) + vitamin B12 supplementation prevented cognitive decline in a cohort of community-dwelling older adults with elevated psychological distress. Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a completely crossed 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design comprising daily oral 400 mcg FA + 100 mcg vitamin B12 supplementation (compared with placebo), physical activity promotion, and depression literacy with comparator control interventions for reducing depressive symptoms in 900 adults aged 60-74 years with elevated psychological distress (Kessler Distress 10-Scale; scores >15). The 2-year intervention was delivered in 10 modules via mail with concurrent telephone tracking calls. Main outcome measures examined change in cognitive functioning at 12 and 24 months using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified (TICS-M) and the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (processing speed); the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly was administered at 24 months.

Results: FA + vitamin B12 improved the TICS-M total, TICS-M immediate and TICS-M delayed recall scores at 24 months in comparison with placebo. No significant changes were evident in orientation, attention, semantic memory, processing speed or informant reports. Researchers believe long-term supplementation of daily oral 400 mcg FA + 100 mcg vitamin B12 promotes improvement in cognitive functioning after 24 months, particularly in immediate and delayed memory performance.