VITAMIN B12 AND FOLATE IN RELATION TO THE RATE OF BRAIN ATROPHY IN SUBJECTS AT RISK OF DEMENTIA: A LONGITUDINAL POPULATION BASED STUDY

Abstract

sion. Subjects averaged 72.8 years of age. Six trajectories of HbA1c were identified, characterizedbyHbA1c level at entry into theDR(Higher/Lower), and trend over time (Stable/Decreasing/Increasing). Both groups with a trajectory of decreasing HbA1c levels had high HbA1c levels at entry into the DR (9.2%, 10.7%), and high, though decreasing, HbA1c levels over time. They had the worst cognitive performance, particularly in overall cognition (p<0.02) and semantic categorization (p<0.01), followed by that of subjects whose HbA1c at entry into the DR was relatively high (7.2%, 7.8%) and increased over time. Subjects with stable HbA1c over time had the lowest HbA1c levels at entry (6.0%, 6.8%) and performed best in cognitive tests. Glycemic control trajectories, which better reflect chronicity of T2D than a single HbA1c measurement, predict cognitive performance. A trajectory of stable HbA1c levels over time is associated with better cognitive function.