Not just a load of old vitamins

Treatment of Alzheimer's could be revolutionised by the use of vitamin B supplementation for prevention and treatment. It has been found by scientists conducting research into the vitamin's role in age-related dementia and memory loss, that vitamin B can be most effective.

Orthodox medicine has traditionally accepted that brain atrophy or shrinkage is a normal aspect of ageing. It is said that the brain has shrunk by as much as half a per cent in one year by the time a person reaches 60. The process however is accelerated in people who suffer Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) which is a type of memory loss, and Alzheimer's, with its severe memory loss, slower thinking and confusion.

The use of vitamin B would be a major breakthrough in treatment of these conditions.

The scientists conducting the research study were based at the University of Oxford. Using a trial of 168 people they concluded that when given vitamin B supplements three times a day, the respondents showed a reduction of brain shrinkage as related to dementia by up to 53 per cent. While the trial was not intended to test respondents' cognitive ability it was found that reduced brain shrinkage correlated with the highest mental test scores.

Such strong evidence of the effectiveness of Vitamin B has encouraged debate as to whether the tablets should be prescribed for everyone with MCI as half of these go on to develop Alzheimer's. 16 per cent of over 70s are affected by MCI, equivalent to 1.5 million people in the UK.

Co-author of the study, pharmacologist Professor David Smith said: "It is a very simple solution: you give someone some vitamins and you protect the brain." He envisaged that this first trial "will change the whole direction of Alzheimer's research."

Professor Smith said that 500 people a day develop Alzheimer's in the UK and he personally believed that just cutting that figure down by 10 per cent would have a big impact.

The new research is controversial as it displays a preference for simple vitamins rather than the expensive drugs manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. It is a big statement that just taking vitamins can have better results. Millions of pounds have been spent on experimental drugs for dementia.

It was too early to say exactly how vitamin B works, said Professor Smith. He explained: "The treatment lowers homocysteine, lower homocysteine reduces brain shrinkage and that reduces cognitive decline."

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