Volume : V, Issue : I, January - 2016

Homocysteine Levels, White Matter Lesions Scores and Perceived Caregiver Stress in Alzheimer’s disease

Vikas Dhikav, Lokesh Sharma, Neera Sharma, Kuljeet Singh Anand

Abstract :

Introduction : Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is by far the most common type of dementia worldwide. Currently, the role of vascular factors has been increasingly appreciated in pathophysiology of AD. Serum homocysteine, and white matter lesions (WMLs) are markers of vascular risk. The present study was undertaken to explore association of serum homocysteine and WMLs in AD with Perceived Stress Scores (PSS). Methodology : This is a case control study (n=65). The diagnosis of AD was made using National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, Alzheimer’s disease related Disease Association criteria (NINCDS–ARDA). Blood samples were collected from the study subjects after overnight fasting. Serum separation was done immediately within half an hour of sampling and homocysteine levels were measured using enzyme cycling method. Results : In AD group (n=35, M: F=28:7), mean age and duration of illness was 72±8.1 and 3.1±2.2 years respectively while in controls (n=30, M: F=24), mean age was: 68.6±8.6 years. The mean Mini Mental Status Score of AD group was 13.32±5.6. AD group showed high homocysteine levels and the odds ratio was higher in AD compared to controls (6.5; p–value<0.05, 95% confidence interval= 1.79 to 24.069). There was high intra–rater agreement (Cohen’s Kappa=0.8) in between separately analyzed ratings of samples (n=10). The PSS of those with high homocysteine was significantly greater compared to those with normal homocysteine. Likewise, those with higher homocysteine had a greater White Matter Lesion Load (Odds Ratio=5.7, 1.1009 to 29.6594; p–value<0.05). ADL Scores were however not different between them (p–value=>0.05). Conclusion : AD group had higher serum homocysteine compared to controls and also those with high homocysteine had more WMLs. PSS of those with raised homocysteine was higher compared to those with normal homocysteine (p–value<0.05)

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijsr  

Cite This Article:

Vikas Dhikav, Lokesh Sharma, Neera Sharma, Kuljeet Singh Anand Homocysteine Levels, White Matter Lesions Scores and Perceived Caregiver Stress in Alzheimer¥s Disease International Journal of Scientific Research, Vol : 5, Issue : 1 January 2016

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