[B vitamins in geriatrics - what to determine, what to replace?].

Deficiencies in B-vitamins have recently been recognized as risk factors for stroke and dementia. With increasing age there is an increased prevalence of metabolic and nutritional changes leading to increased vulnerability of vitamin deficiency. Especially in geriatric patients, these changes can have effects on the nervous system that are often not recognized. Often, however, vitamins in particular are taken uncritically and attributed with a variety of unspecific properties.With regard to the knowledge about the water-soluble B vitamins (B6, B12, folic acid and homocysteine as well as B1), there have recently been new findings and recommendations by various professional societies. An overview of the basics, causes, diagnostic and therapeutic concepts of B-vitamins and the current state of research in this area is given.