Cognitive Performance

New Trial Shows High-Dose Vitamin B12 Improves Cognitive Performance.

Posted by

0


Could a simple regimen of nutritional supplements strengthen the aging brain against dementia? This newly published trial suggests vitamin B12 could sharper cognitive faculties and even turn back time for the forgetful.

A new clinical trial published in Nutrición Hospitalaria provides compelling evidence that high-dose vitamin B12 supplementation significantly improves cognitive function in older adults already exhibiting decline [1].

The vitamin B12 treatment group received 500mg intramuscular injections daily for one week followed by oral doses of 0.25mg cobamamide plus 0.50mg methylcobalamin daily for 6 months [1]. This B12 regimen markedly enhanced performance on common mental tests versus matched controls receiving no B12 [1]. Those getting B12 supplements notably improved attention, numeric calculation and visual-spatial skills indicative of better frontal lobe brain activity [1].

Rising rates of “minimal cognitive impairment” affecting over 20% of older adults render findings timely [2]. Patients frequently progress to dementia within a year if left untreated [3]. Prior research also links low B12 levels below 180pg/mL to eventual cognitive losses [4].  

Vitamin B12 supports red blood cell formation, immune function and nerve communication [5]. Deficiencies frequently appear after age 60, often from stomach conditions or medications reducing B12 absorption [6]. Strict vegetarians also require supplementation as natural B12 derives from animal foods [5]. 

Suboptimal B12 disturbs homocysteine metabolism and methylation reactions vital for synthesizing neurotransmitters and brain cell integrity [7]. Resulting neurologic symptoms span depression, confusion and frank dementia if B12 levels significantly drop [8].  

Notably, the 500mg injectable B12 doses increased blood B12 while decreasing depressive mood [1]. Patients also exhibited better frontal lobe integrity governing complex attention, mental flexibility and emotional processing after 6 months treatment [1]. Correcting B12 deficiency may thereby restore key cell nutrients enabling clearer thinking.  

Authors recommend screening B12 blood levels in all adults over 50 years exhibiting cognitive issues or unexplained fatigue [1]. Customized B12 treatment then becomes possible for those indicating borderline or overt deficiencies. As covered by insurance, accurate B12 testing and correction provides low-risk intervention before irreversible dementia develops.

How Sleep Deprivation Affects Cognitive Performance

Posted by

0


Summary: Sleep deprivation doesn’t just alter brain activity, it also changes the connection between neurons. Both changes have a significant effect on working memory and cognitive performance.

Source: Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors

Anyone who has ever had a night of poor sleep or no sleep at all knows how much the lack of sleep can affect concentration the next day.

Researchers at the Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors have studied how exactly sleep deprivation affects brain performance.

The results show that not only brain activation, but also the alteration of connections between neurons is affected by sleep deprivation. Both have a significant effect on memory performance and working memory.

Sufficient sleep is essential for optimal daytime performance. A lack of sleep not only impairs attention, but also memory and learning processes. To encode new memory content, connections between neurons in the brain are strengthened or weakened during wakefulness.

This process is called neuroplasticity. During sleep, relevant connections are further strengthened, and irrelevant ones weakened.

In case of sleep deprivation, this weakening of irrelevant connections does not take place. Cortical excitability remains increased, which leads to impaired signal transmission. New, external stimuli and information can therefore only be processed poorly or not at all and learning becomes more difficult.

This shows a tired looking woman studying
Sufficient sleep is essential for optimal daytime performance.

That increased cortical excitability disturbs neuroplasticity. This means that cerebral overactivity makes it more difficult for the neurons to shape connections.

Optimal excitability of the brain could prevent diseases

However, there is a difference between complete sleep deprivation and working against personal sleep and wake phases (chronotype). In the latter, brain excitability and neuroplasticity are reduced during suboptimal times of day.

In sleep deprivation, however, excitability is increased. Especially in demanding activities, working in accordance with one’s chronotype can improve work performance.

Since brain plasticity and excitability depend on sleep, it could play a role in preventing diseases with cognitive deficits. Examples of such diseases are Alzheimer’s disease, which is often accompanied with sleep disturbances, and major depression.

With depression brain activity and neuroplasticity are reduced, and this could be counteracted upon by sleep deprivation, a well-introduced antidepressant treatment.