B12 shortage linked to cognitive problems Studies in elderly show that even 'normal' levels of vitamin may not be enough By Janet Raloff Web edition : Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 Text Size Not getting enough vitamin B12 may take a serious toll on the brain. Two new studies of the elderly link impairments of memory and reasoning with an indirect measure of vitamin B12 deficiency. Worse, brain scans reveal that those with signs of insufficient B12 are more likely to have shrinkage of brain tissue, vascular damage and patches of dead brain cells than are people with higher levels of the vitamin.

B12 shortage linked to cognitive problems

Studies in elderly show that even 'normal' levels of vitamin may not be enough

By Janet Raloff

Web edition : Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

Text Size

Not getting enough vitamin B12 may take a serious toll on the brain. Two new studies of the elderly link impairments of memory and reasoning with an indirect measure of vitamin B12 deficiency. Worse, brain scans reveal that those with signs of insufficient B12 are more likely to have shrinkage of brain tissue, vascular damage and patches of dead brain cells than are people with higher levels of the vitamin.B12 shortage linked to cognitive problems Studies in elderly show that even 'normal' levels of vitamin may not be enough By Janet Raloff Web edition : Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 Text Size Not getting enough vitamin B12 may take a serious toll on the brain. Two new studies of the elderly link impairments of memory and reasoning with an indirect measure of vitamin B12 deficiency. Worse, brain scans reveal that those with signs of insufficient B12 are more likely to have shrinkage of brain tissue, vascular damage and patches of dead brain cells than are people with higher levels of the vitamin. B12 shortage linked to cognitive problems Studies in elderly show that even 'normal' levels of vitamin may not be enough By Janet Raloff Web edition : Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 Text Size Not getting enough vitamin B12 may take a serious toll on the brain. Two new studies of the elderly link impairments of memory and reasoning with an indirect measure of vitamin B12 deficiency. Worse, brain scans reveal that those with signs of insufficient B12 are more likely to have shrinkage of brain tissue, vascular damage and patches of dead brain cells than are people with higher levels of the vitamin.