Vitamin D Deficiency, Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Recent preventive strategies for patients with cognitive impairment include the identification of modifiable somatic risk factors like vitamin D deficiency. Methods: A systematic literature research and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the association of cognitive impairment and vi...

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Published in:Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders 2012-01, Vol.33 (5), p.297-305
Main Authors: Etgen, Thorleif, Sander, Dirk, Bickel, Horst, Sander, Kerstin, Förstl, Hans
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cognitive Dysfunction - etiology
Cognitive Dysfunction - physiopathology
Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases
Dementia
Dementia - etiology
Dementia - prevention & control
Humans
Medical sciences
Neurology
Neuropharmacology
Neuroprotective agent
Original Research Article
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Risk Factors
Systematic review
Vitamin D - metabolism
Vitamin D - therapeutic use
Vitamin D Deficiency - physiopathology
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Summary:Background: Recent preventive strategies for patients with cognitive impairment include the identification of modifiable somatic risk factors like vitamin D deficiency. Methods: A systematic literature research and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the association of cognitive impairment and vitamin D deficiency. Results: Data from cross-sectional and longitudinal studies suggest an association between cognitive impairment and vitamin D deficiency. Meta-analysis of 5 cross-sectional and 2 longitudinal studies comprising 7,688 participants showed an increased risk of cognitive impairment in those with low vitamin D compared with normal vitamin D (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.91–3.00; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Methodological limitations of these studies comprise heterogeneity of study populations, different forms of cognitive assessment, the problem of reverse causality, different definitions of vitamin D deficiency and inconsistent control for confounders. As the value of vitamin D substitution in cognitive impairment remains doubtful, a long-time major placebo-controlled randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation in participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) should be started.
ISSN:1420-8008
1421-9824
DOI:10.1159/000339702