The association between Vitamin B6 and cognitive decline is modified by inflammatory state (LB425)

Abstract

Individuals with inflammatory conditions like CVD, diabetes, and cancer have low plasma pyridoxal 5’‐phosphate (PLP) levels, a marker of functional vitamin B6 deficiency. Prior studies suggest that during inflammation, PLP is mobilized to sites of inflammation to modulate immune response. This leads to low plasma PLP and reduces PLP available for neurotransmitter synthesis and their downstream signaling. These outcomes may affect cognition and depression.We conducted a secondary data analysis of the Nutrition and Memory in Elders (NAME) study to determine whether plasma PLP is associated with cognitive decline and inflammation.The NAME study includes cross‐sectional data on global cognition as measured by Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) in a population of Boston‐area elderly (aged 60+).Using multivariate analysis, cognition was directly associated with PLP (p=0.045); but not with CRP (p=0.71). Using logistic regression analysis, the odds of having cognitive decline for diabetics were 130% higher than that of non‐diabetics (p<0.05). Subjects with diabetes also have 28% higher CRP and 15% lower PLP levels than subjects without diabetes, (p=0.003 and 0.001, respectively).Upon stratification by inflammatory state, cognition and PLP were directly associated in subjects without diabetes (p=0.049) and in subjects with CRP <3 mg/L (p=0.03).Overall, cognition was positively associated with PLP but not with CRP. While this study found diabetes to be associated with higher CRP, lower PLP, and cognitive decline, the lack of an association between cognition and CRP suggests that mechanisms underlying the relation between PLP and disease likely involve a generalized trigger of inflammation and a secondary disease specific inflammatory response not well characterized by CRP. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of more specific inflammatory markers on the association between PLP and disease.Grant Funding Source: Supported by USDA Cooperative Agreement 51520‐008‐045