Serum homocysteine, folic acid and VitB12 in patients with mild cognitive impairment

Objective: This study aims to investigate the levels of serum homocysteine (Hcy), folic acid and VitB(12), as well as their correlations with cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: The levels of serum homocysteine, folic acid and VitB(12) in 128 patients with MCI were retrospectively studied, and compared with 112 healthy controls. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale was used to assess intelligence status, and the event-related potential of P300 examinations were performed. Results: The level of Hcy in the MCI group was higher than in the healthy control group. Folic acid level was lower than in the healthy control group, and there was no significant difference in VitB(12) level between these two groups. The latency of P300 in the MCI group was significantly longer than in the healthy control group. In the MCI groups, MoCA score in the moderately elevated Hcy group was lower than that in the normal Hcy group; and the latency of P300 was prolonged. There was no significant difference in MoCA score and P300 latency between the mildly elevated Hcy group and normal Hcy group. MoCA score was negatively correlated with the level of serum Hcy and P300 latency. Conclusion: The level of Hcy in patients with MCI was increased, and there may be correlations between the increase in Hcy level and cognitive impairments.