Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T00:35:31.407Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Effects of Vitamin D Insufficiency and Seasonal Decrease on Cognition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 October 2014

Jacqueline A. Pettersen ,
Sara Fontes  and
Carlie L. Duke
Jacqueline A. Pettersen*
Affiliation:
Northern Medical Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George Canada Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sara Fontes
Affiliation:
Northern Medical Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George Canada
Carlie L. Duke
Affiliation:
Northern Medical Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George Canada
*
Northern Medical Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia, V2N 4Z9, Canada. Email: pettersj@unbc.ca.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Background:

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) deficiency has been associated with dementia and cognitive decline. Which cognitive domains are most associated with D3 levels and how seasonal fluctuations in levels relate to cognition is unclear. We addressed these questions using a prospective observational study examining associations between D3 levels and cognition among individuals living in northern latitudes (54°N) in summer and winter.

Methods:

Healthy adult participants underwent testing in summer and winter of D3 levels and cognition, using the Symbol digit Modalities test, phonemic fluency, digit Span and CANTAB® battery.

Results:

Of 32 participants tested in the summer, 46% were D3 insufficient (<75 nmol/L) and performed worse on digit Span Backward (DS-B) (μ=5.8, SD=2) than those who were sufficient (μ=7.9, SD=2), p=0.018. In multivariate analyses, sufficiency status was an independent predictor of dS-B, (b=0.41, p=0.02). The majority (63%) of 19 participants tested in winter were D3 insufficient, with levels declining by a median of 15 nmol/L overall. Those with insufficient levels performed worse (i.e., higher scores) on the CANTAB® Spatial Working Memory (SWM) task (μ=36.1, SD=6 versus μ=29.3, SD=8), p=0.05). Those with larger drops in levels (≥15 nmol/L) showed decline/less improvement on the CANTAB® one touch Stockings of Cambridge (OTS) task, (μ=0.50, SD=1.9 versus μ=-2.11, SD=2.6, p=0.01), a test of working memory/executive functioning.

Conclusions:

Vitamin D3 insufficiency and seasonal declines ≥15 nmol/L were associated with inferior working memory/executive functioning. While our findings require confirmation, they suggest that sufficient D3 levels should be maintained year-round, likely necessitating supplementation, at least during winter at higher latitudes.

Type
Original Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 41 , Issue 4 , July 2014 , pp. 459 - 465
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2014

References

1.Balion, C, Griffith, LE, Strifler, L, et al. Vitamin D, cognition, and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurology. 2012;79(13):1397–405.Google ScholarPubMed
2.Etgen, T, Sander, D, Bickel, H, Sander, K, Forstl, H.Vitamin D deficiency, cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2012;33 (5):297–305.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Llewellyn, DJ, Lang, IA, Langa, KM, et al. Vitamin D and risk of cognitive decline in elderly persons. Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(13):1135–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Slinin, Y, Paudel, ML, Taylor, BC, et al. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels and cognitive performance and decline in elderly men. Neurology. 2010;74(1):33–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Jorde, R, Waterloo, K, Saleh, F, Haug, E, Svartberg, J.Neuropsychological function in relation to serum parathyroid hormone and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. The Tromso study. J Neurol. 2006;253(4):464–70.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Lee, DM, Tajar, A, Ulubaev, A, et al. Association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and cognitive performance in middle-aged and older European men. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2009;80(7):722–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Buell, JS, Scott, TM, Dawson-Hughes, B, et al. Vitamin D is associated with cognitive function in elders receiving home health services. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2009;64(8):888–95.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Seamans, KM, Hill, TR, Scully, L, et al. Vitamin D status and measures of cognitive function in healthy older European adults. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010;64(10):1172–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Langlois, K, Greene-Finestone, L, Little, J, Hidiroglou, N, Whiting, S.Vitamin D status of Canadians as measured in the 2007 to 2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Health Rep. 2010;21(1):47–55.Google ScholarPubMed
10.Ginde, AA, Liu, MC, Camargo, CA, Jr. Demographic differences and trends of vitamin D insufficiency in the US population, 1988–2004. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(6):626–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Hypponen, E, Power, C.Hypovitaminosis D in British adults at age 45 y: nationwide cohort study of dietary and lifestyle predictors. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85(3):860–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Kimlin, MG.Geographic location and vitamin D synthesis. Mol Aspects Med. 2008;29(6):453–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Barger-Lux, MJ, Heaney, RP.Effects of above average summer sun exposure on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium absorption. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87(11):4952–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14.Dawson-Hughes, B, Heaney, RP, Holick, MF, Lips, P, Meunier, PJ, Vieth, R.Estimates of optimal vitamin D status. Osteoporos Int. 2005;16(7):713–16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.Swiatoniowski, AK, Quillen, EE, Shriver, MD, Jablonski, NG.Technical note: comparing von Luschan skin color tiles and modern spectrophotometry for measuring human skin pigmentation. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2013;151:325–30.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.von Luschan, F, von Luschan, E.Anthropologische messungen an 95 Englandern. Z Ethnol. 1914;46:58–80.Google Scholar
17.Smith, A, editor. Symbol digit modalities test. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services; 1991.Google Scholar
18.Strauss, E, Sherman, EMS, Spreen, OA, editors. A compendium of neuropsychological tests (3rd Edition). New York. NY: Oxford University Press; 2006.Google Scholar
19.Sahakian, BJ, Morris, RG, Evenden, JL, et al. A comparative study of visuospatial memory and learning in Alzheimer-type dementia and Parkinson's disease. Brain. 1988;111(Pt 3):695–718.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20.Yurko-Mauro, K, McCarthy, D, Rom, D, et al. Beneficial effects of docosahexaenoic acid on cognition in age-related cognitive decline. Alzheimers Dement. 2010;6(6):456–64.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21.Llewellyn, DJ, Lang, IA, Langa, KM, Melzer, D.Vitamin D and cognitive impairment in the elderly U.S. population. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2011;66(1):59–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22.McCann, JC, Ames, BN.Is there convincing biological or behavioral evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to brain dysfunction? FASEB J. 2008;22(4):982–1001.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23.Sonnenberg, J, Luine, VN, Krey, LC, Christakos, S.1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment results in increased choline acetyltransferase activity in specific brain nuclei. Endocrinology. 1986;118(4):1433–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24.Brewer, LD, Thibault, V, Chen, KC, Langub, MC, Landfield, PW, Porter, NM.Vitamin D hormone confers neuroprotection in parallel with downregulation of L-type calcium channel expression in hippocampal neurons. J Neurosci. 2001;21(1):98–108.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25.Schleithoff, SS, Zittermann, A, Tenderich, G, Berthold, HK, Stehle, P, Koerfer, R.Vitamin D supplementation improves cytokine profiles in patients with congestive heart failure: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;83(4):754–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26.Masoumi, A, Goldenson, B, Ghirmai, S, et al. 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 interacts with curcuminoids to stimulate amyloid-beta clearance by macrophages of Alzheimer's disease patients. J Alzheimers Dis. 2009;17(3):703–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
27.Kuningas, M, Mooijaart, SP, Jolles, J, Slagboom, PE, Westendorp, RG, van Heemst, D.VDR gene variants associate with cognitive function and depressive symptoms in old age. Neurobiol Aging. 2009;30(3):466–73.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28.Gezen-Ak, D, Dursun, E, Ertan, T, et al. Association between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease. Tohoku J Exp Med. 2007;212(3):275–82.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed