COGNITIVE CONSEQUENCES OF VITAMIN-D DEFICIENCY IN SENIOR CITIZENS OF BANGALORE CITY

Dr. Jyothi Vybhavi V.S.; Dr. Shivakumar Veeraiah

Volume : IX, Issue : XII, December - 2019

COGNITIVE CONSEQUENCES OF VITAMIN-D DEFICIENCY IN SENIOR CITIZENS OF BANGALORE CITY

Dr. Jyothi Vybhavi V. S. , Dr. Shivakumar Veeraiah

Abstract :

The older population is at a high risk of Vitamin–D deficiency due to decreased cutaneous synthesis and dietary intake of Vitamin–D. In recent years, emerging evidence has linked Vitamin–D not only to its known effects on calcium and bone metabolism, but also to neurocognitive functions. Aging is a natural process and preserving intact cognition plays a very important role in healthy aging. Hence there is a need to evaluate whether Vitamin–D deficiency affects memory in the elderly. The objectives of this study is to assess Serum 25(OH) Vitamin–D in the elderly, and to assess Cognitive functions in the elderly with different levels of Vitamin–D. This study involved 80 healthy elderly subjects with consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Written informed consent was taken. For each subject, fasting blood sample of 4ml was collected for Serum 25(OH) Vitamin–D assessment. Anthropometric measurements were taken. 24–hour dietary recall, General history questionnaire and Spreen & Stauss Neuropsychology battery of tests were administered. Results were compiled and statistically analyzed. The results show that Elderly with Vitamin–D deficiency had statistically significant low scores in all parameters (P < 0.05), especially with executive function & processing speed. It can be concluded that Low 25(OH)D levels were associated with worse global cognitive function and greater decline in psychomotor speed and executive function.