Here are summaries of the findings of some of the more pertinent recent studies:

1.  Folates more effective in limiting Alzheimer's disease risk than antioxidants, other nutrients.  Study released August 12, 2005. Results appeared in the inaugural issue of Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.

Researchers used data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (a forward-looking study) to identify the relationship between dietary factors and Alzheimer's disease risk. Between 1984 and 1991, study volunteers provided detailed dietary diaries, which included supplement intake and calorie amounts, for a typical seven-day period.  Ultimately, 57 of the original 579 participants developed Alzheimer's disease.

"The participants who had intakes at or above the 400-microgram recommended dietary allowance of folates had a 55-percent reduction in risk of developing Alzheimer's," said Corrada, an assistant professor of neurology. "But most people who reached that level did so by taking folic acid supplements, which suggests that many people do not get the recommended amounts of folates in their diets." (3)

2. Moderately high homocysteine linked to Alzheimer's risk.  Study released October 4, 2002. The report appeared in the October issue of Stroke

In a mostly backward-looking study it was found that moderate elevations of homocysteine are associated with a more than five-fold increase in the risk for stroke and almost triple the risk for Alzheimer's disease.  This according to research reported in the October issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.  Homocysteine is an amino acid believed to be toxic to blood vessels. Several studies have linked high blood levels of it to increased heart attack risk. This study found that homocysteine levels in patients with stroke, Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia were consistently higher than homocysteine levels in age-matched healthy volunteers.

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