Vitamin D Supplementation and Cognition in Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Beauchet, Olivier; Cooper-Brown, Liam A; Allali, Gilles

doi:10.1007/s40263-021-00876-z

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…In accordance with what we observed, other systematic reviews have found mixed results across the literature regarding cognitive function by vitamin D supplementation, thus resulting in a lack of certainty in assessing its potential beneficial effects on cognition [68].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Vitamin Supplementation and Dementia: A Systematic Review

2022

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Background: Dementia is a syndrome characterized by progressive cognitive impairment that interferes with independent function in daily activities. Symptoms of dementia depend on its cause and vary greatly between individuals. There is extensive evidence supporting a relationship between diet and cognitive functions. This systematic review studies the efficacy of using vitamin supplements in the diet as a solution to nutritional deficiencies and the prevention of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Methods: An intensive search of different databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL) was performed. Articles that were published between 2011 and November 2021 were retrieved using the mentioned search strategy. This systematic review has been conducted according to the PRISMA statement. Results: Folic acid supplementation proved to have better outcomes on cognitive tests than their respective control groups. The combined supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B12 showed some discrepancies between studies. Thiamine as supplementation did not only prove to have a positive impact on cognitive performance when given alone but also when given in combination with folic acid. Regarding vitamin D supplementation, the results observed were not so encouraging. A concomitant supplementation of low-dose vitamin E and vitamin C was also not associated with an improvement of cognitive function. Conclusions: The findings of this systematic review suggest that supplementation of B Complex vitamins, especially folic acid, may have a positive effect on delaying and preventing the risk of cognitive decline. Ascorbic acid and a high dose of vitamin E, when given separately, also showed positive effects on cognitive performance, but there is not sufficient evidence to support their use. The results of vitamin D supplementation trials are not conclusive in assessing the potential benefits that vitamin D might have on cognition.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Vitamin Supplementation and Dementia: A Systematic Review

2022

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“…Two Mendelian randomization studies did not suggest a causal association between 25(OH)D and cognitive performance or dementia (18,36). Likewise, a meta-analysis study of randomized control trials did not provide evidence that vitamin D supplementation enhances adult cognitive function (19). Similar to our findings, vitamin D supplementation failed to improve cognitive decline, measured by MoCA scores in a clinical trial (37).…”

Section: Comparison With Other Studiessupporting

confidence: 61%

“…Similarly, causality is yet to be established through intervention studies and Mendelian randomization studies (18,19).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin D Status Over Time and Cognitive Function in Norwegian Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort of the HUNT Study

Asante

Mai

Eldholm

et al. 2023

The Journal of nutrition, health and aging

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Background There is conflicting evidence regarding the association between vitamin D status and cognitive function in population studies. The use of one-time vitamin D measurement in cognitive health studies may not reflect long-term vitamin D status in the body. Objective We aimed to examine the relationship of vitamin D status measured over time with the risk of neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) in Norwegian older adults. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Regional, Trøndelag Health Study. Participants This study followed a random cohort of 717 participants from HUNT2 (1995–97) and HUNT3 (2006–08) to HUNT4 70+ (2017–19). The mean age at HUNT4 70+ was 77.7 years. Methods Seasonal-standardized serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in HUNT2 and HUNT3 were averaged and used as either a categorical variable (<50 and ≥50 nmol/L) or a continuous variable (per 25 nmol/L decrease). In the cohort aged 70 years or over (HUNT4 70+), NCDs consisting of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia were diagnosed by clinical experts according to the DSM-5 criteria. Logistic and linear regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and regression coefficients (beta) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the relationship between 25(OH) D levels and the risk of NCDs or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score. Results In total, 347 (48.4%) had NCDs in HUNT4, with 33.3% having MCI and 15.1% having dementia. Compared with participants with serum 25(OH)D ≥50 nmol/L, those with 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L had a similar risk of NCDs (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.46). No association was observed with the risk of MCI (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.44) or dementia (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.92), respectively. In a subsample of participants evaluated with the MoCA (n=662), a 25 nmol/L decrease in serum 25(OH)D was not associated with a change in MoCA score (beta 0.33, 95% CI −0.17 to 0.85). Conclusion Vitamin D insufficiency defined by two times measurements of serum 25(OH)D with a 10-year interval was not associated with the risk of NCDs in a cohort of older Norwegian adults. Future studies utilizing multiple vitamin D measurements with a longer follow-up duration and larger sample size are warranted.

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“…In a systematic review and meta‐analysis of nine RCTs on vitamin D interventions to enhance cognitive performance, no significant differences were reported in global and domain‐specific cognition between the exposure groups 14 . In another systematic review of 20 RCTs on vitamin D interventions and cognition, mixed findings were reported in half of the RCTs, but a quarter of them reported positive effects of vitamin D exposure on cognitive performance 13 . Variability in serum vitamin D levels, supplementation dosage, and cognitive tests administered may explain the observed inconsistencies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 14 In another systematic review of 20 RCTs on vitamin D interventions and cognition, mixed findings were reported in half of the RCTs, but a quarter of them reported positive effects of vitamin D exposure on cognitive performance. 13 Variability in serum vitamin D levels, supplementation dosage, and cognitive tests administered may explain the observed inconsistencies. A recent RCT in 210 patients with AD assessed the effect of 12‐month vitamin D supplementation on cognition and Aβ levels, reporting improved performance on several cognitive tests and lower Aβ burden.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin D supplementation and incident dementia: Effects of sex, APOE, and baseline cognitive status

Ghahremani

Smith

Chen

et al. 2023

Alz & Dem Diag Ass & Dis Mo

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Introduction Despite the association of vitamin D deficiency with incident dementia, the role of supplementation is unclear. We prospectively explored associations between vitamin D supplementation and incident dementia in 12,388 dementia‐free persons from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. Methods Baseline exposure to vitamin D was considered D+; no exposure prior to dementia onset was considered D−. Kaplan–Meier curves compared dementia‐free survival between groups. Cox models assessed dementia incidence rates across groups, adjusted for age, sex, education, race, cognitive diagnosis, depression, and apolipoprotein E ( APOE ) ε4. Sensitivity analyses examined incidence rates for each vitamin D formulation. Potential interactions between exposure and model covariates were explored. Results Across all formulations, vitamin D exposure was associated with significantly longer dementia‐free survival and lower dementia incidence rate than no exposure (hazard ratio = 0.60, 95% confidence interval: 0.55–0.65). The effect of vitamin D on incidence rate differed significantly across the strata of sex, cognitive status, and APOE ε4 status. Discussion Vitamin D may be a potential agent for dementia prevention. Highlights In a prospective cohort study, we assessed effects of Vitamin D on dementia incidence in 12,388 participants from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center dataset. Vitamin D exposure was associated with 40% lower dementia incidence versus no exposure. Vitamin D effects were significantly greater in females versus males and in normal cognition versus mild cognitive impairment. Vitamin D effects were significantly greater in apolipoprotein E ε4 non‐carriers versus carriers. Vitamin D has potential for dementia prevention, especially in the high‐risk strata.

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Vitamin D Supplementation and Cognition in Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Cited by 18 publications

References 38 publications

Vitamin Supplementation and Dementia: A Systematic Review

Vitamin Supplementation and Dementia: A Systematic Review

Vitamin D Status Over Time and Cognitive Function in Norwegian Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort of the HUNT Study

Vitamin D supplementation and incident dementia: Effects of sex, APOE, and baseline cognitive status

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