Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in an Algerian population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is growing evidence that increased blood concentration of total homocysteine (tHcy) may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study was conducted to evaluate the association of serum tHcy and other biochemical risk factors with AD.

METHODS

This is a case-control study including 41 individuals diagnosed with AD and 46 nondemented controls. Serum levels of all studied biochemical parameters were performed.

RESULTS

Univariate logistic regression showed a significant increase of tHcy (p = 0.008), urea (p = 0.036) and a significant decrease of vitamin B12 (p = 0.012) in AD group vs. controls. Using multivariate logistic regression, tHcy (p = 0.007, OR = 1.376) appeared as an independent risk factor predictor of AD. There was a significant positive correlation between tHcy and creatinine (p <0.0001). A negative correlation was found between tHcy and vitamin B12 (p <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support that hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for AD in an Algerian population and is also associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.