Gregory Chandler, Attorney at Law, on Alzheimer's

By Gregory Chandler In an Alzheimer's disease (AD) study, researchers measured signs of inflammation and blood levels of vitamin B12 in 271 adults, aged 65 to 79, who did not have dementia at the start of the study. After 17 years of follow-up, doctors found two strong links: as levels of the inflammatory protein homocysteine rose, so did chances of AD, and as vitamin B12 levels increased, chances of AD decreased. Vitamin B deficiencies can cause high homocysteine levels. The scientists said that older adults are often low in vitamin B12 and suggested more study to confirm that vitamin B12 helps protect memory. GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law