Korean J Psychosom Med.  2014 Jun;22(1):23-30.

Correlation of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms and Homocysteine in Patients with Dementia of Alzheimer's Type

• Lee JM
• Im WY
• Kim H
• Lee KJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Homocysteine has been associated with cognitive impairment and various psychiatric symptoms. This study was designed to examine the relationship exists between plasma homocysteine concentration and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia(BPSD).
METHODS
41 subjects with dementia of Alzheimer's type were included in this study. We carried out history taking, physical examination, and cognitive assessment for the diagnosis of dementia of Alzheimer's type based on DSM-IV. We scored the Mini Mental State Examination(MMSE), Global Deterioration Scale(GDS), Clinical Dementia Rating(CDR), and the Korean Neuropsychiatric Inventory(K-NPI). We also measured levels of homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 in the plasma.
RESULTS
We found statistically significant positive correlations between homocysteine concentration with NPI total score, and with scores of several sub-domains such as delusion, agitation/aggression, depression/dysphoria, and elation/euphoria. No significant correlation existed between homocysteine levels and scores of MMSE, GDS, and CDR.
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that plasma homocysteine levels are associated with BPSD. Further research is necessary to identify pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying these relationships.

Keyword

Dementia of Alzheimer's type; Homocysteine; BPSD

MeSH Terms

Delusions
Dementia*
Diagnosis
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Folic Acid
Homocysteine*
Humans
Physical Examination
Plasma
Vitamin B 12
Folic Acid
Homocysteine
Vitamin B 12