brain atrophy

Low vitamin D levels related to lower cognitive function in MS sufferers

April, 2010
  • A study involving multiple sclerosis sufferers has found very high rates of vitamin D deficiency, and that higher levels of vitamin D3 and its byproducts were associated with better scores on cognitive tests (especially reasoning and planning), and less brain atrophy and fewer brain lesions.

A study involving 236 persons with multiple sclerosis has found that only 7% of those with secondary-progressive MS showed sufficient vitamin D in their blood, compared to 18.3% of patients with the less severe relapsing-remitting type, and that higher levels of vitamin D3 and its byproducts were associated with better scores on cognitive tests (especially reasoning and planning), and less brain atrophy and fewer brain lesions. Lower-than-normal vitamin D status is known to be associated with a higher risk of developing MS

Reference: 

The results were reported at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10–17, 2010.

Source: 

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-04/uab-lvd042910.php

Topics: 

tags lifestyle: 

tags problems: 

Frequent episodes of jet lag without sufficient recovery time may reduce cognitive function

May, 2001

A study of 20 flight attendants suggests that people who undergo repeated, frequent episodes of jet lag without sufficient recovery time between trips may develop actual tissue changes in the brain in an area that's involved in spatial orientation and related aspects of cognitive function. The extent to which this is due to sleep deprivation rather than time shifts per se is unknown. These findings may also be relevant to shift workers, medical trainees and others who work long hours.

Reference: 

[347] Cho, K.
(2001).  Chronic 'jet lag' produces temporal lobe atrophy and spatial cognitive deficits.
Nat Neurosci. 4(6), 567 - 568.

tags lifestyle: 

tags problems: 

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - brain atrophy