Indication: Cognition (older adults)

Source: The Lancet, January 20, 2007;369:208-15.

Research:
Participants in this study were part of the Folic Acid and Carotid Intima media Thickness (FACIT) trial, investigating the effect of folic acid supplementation on atherosclerotic progression. As a secondary endpoint of the trial, researchers assessed the effect of folic acid supplementation on cognitive performance. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial took place between November 1999 and December 2004 in The Netherlands. In the study, 818 participants were randomly assigned to 800 µg daily oral folic acid or placebo for three years. The effect on cognitive performance was measured as the difference between the two groups in the three-year change in performance for memory, sensorimotor speed, complex speed, information processing speed and word fluency. Analysis was by intention-to-treat.

Results:
Serum folate concentrations in-creased by 576% and plasma total homocysteine concentrations decreased by 26% in participants taking folic acid compared to those taking placebo. The three-year change in memory, information processing speed and sensorimotor speed were significantly better in the folic acid group than in the placebo group. Therefore, researchers believe folic acid supplementation for three years significantly improved domains of cognitive function that tends to decline with age.