Relationship of Vitamin B12 Status and Parkinson's Disease

Older but extremely important:

Vitamin B-12 Injection

 

Biosample and Tissue Resource, 2013

Objective/Rationale:   

          

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a number of neurological symptoms, including instability, neuropathy (which may cause numbness and tingling) and cognitive defects. Recent studies in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with neuropathy have shown that B12 deficiency is common. Also, we have recently observed that B12 levels decline over the course of PD. These observations have led us to hypothesize that concurrent B12 deficiency may contribute to overall decline in some patients.

Project Description:  

           

The DATATOP study was a large study of patients with early PD conducted more than 20 years ago. As part of this study, standardized measurements of cognitive function and mobility were obtained over the course of the two-year study.  Blood samples were also collected and stored. In our study, we will measure blood levels of vitamin B12 and other markers of B12 deficiency in the DATATOP subjects to determine how common B12 deficiency is in early PD and if there is a relationship between low B12 levels and early cognitive or mobility problems. Since a number of patients underwent blood testing nine or more months after study entry, we also will measure B12 levels at study completion to determine whether B12 levels decline.

Relevance to Diagnosis/Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease:    

                 

If this study shows that B12 deficiency is common in early PD, it may be appropriate for health care providers to routinely measure B12 levels in patients when they are first diagnosed. Also, if B12 levels decline more rapidly than expected, it may be appropriate to measure B12 levels every two to three years to exclude the development of B12 deficiency. Finally, if low B12 levels are associated with greater disability, treatment studies using B12 supplementation should be considered.

Anticipated Outcome:          

This study will determine how common vitamin B12 deficiency is in the DATATOP study and whether B12 levels decline at a faster rate than expected.  It will also examine whether low levels of B12 are associated with more rapid progression of motor or cognitive problems in PD.

https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/grant-detail.php?grant_id=1228