Researchers have found that vitamin D levels in midlife may influence brain health years later, potentially affecting markers associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
A decade-long study using data from the Framingham Heart Study followed 793 participants in Massachusetts who had blood drawn between 2002 and 2005 to measure vitamin D levels, with an average of 38 nanograms per milliliter and about one-third below 30 ng/ml.
Sixteen years later, participants underwent brain scans to detect tau and amyloid proteins, which accumulate before Alzheimer’s becomes diagnosable. Those with higher vitamin D levels at age 39 showed less tau accumulation in memory and orientation-related brain areas, with a continuous relationship between vitamin D concentration and reduced tau burden.
The findings suggest that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during midlife could play a role in long-term brain health and may influence early biomarkers of dementia.
Researchers have found that vitamin D levels in midlife may influence brain health years later, potentially affecting markers associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
A decade-long study using data from the Framingham Heart Study followed 793 participants in Massachusetts who had blood drawn between 2002 and 2005 to measure vitamin D levels, with an average of 38 nanograms per milliliter and about one-third below 30 ng/ml.
Sixteen years later, participants underwent brain scans to detect tau and amyloid proteins, which accumulate before Alzheimer’s becomes diagnosable. Those with higher vitamin D levels at age 39 showed less tau accumulation in memory and orientation-related brain areas, with a continuous relationship between vitamin D concentration and reduced tau burden.
The findings suggest that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during midlife could play a role in long-term brain health and may influence early biomarkers of dementia.
