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Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 2003 Jul;74(7):959–961. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.74.7.959

Low vitamin B-12 status in confirmed Alzheimer's disease as revealed by serum holotranscobalamin

H Refsum 1, A Smith 1
PMCID: PMC1738528  PMID: 12810791

Abstract

Methods: 51 patients with pathologically confirmed Alzheimer's disease and 65 cognitively screened elderly controls were studied. Serum holotranscobalamin was measured by a new solid phase radioimmunoassay.

Results: Geometric mean levels showed no significant case–control differences for serum total cobalamin, but lower levels of holotranscobalamin in Alzheimer's disease (41.1 pmol/l) than in controls (57.1 pmol/l) (p < 0.001). The odds ratio of Alzheimer's disease was significant for low holotranscobalamin but not for low total cobalamin.

Conclusions: Disturbed cobalamin status is common in Alzheimer's disease and accordingly measurement of holotranscobalamin should be considered in the assessment of cognitively impaired patients.

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