Exploring the Association of Cognitive Function with Folate and Cobalamin Levels in Healthy Aging Population of Qatar: Perspectives from Qatar Biobank

Abstract

Cognitive health, crucial for the independence and quality of life in older adults, is influenced by various factors, including nutritional status, which is increasingly recognized for its importance. Folate (Vitamin B9) and Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) are essential for neurological health. Despite most studies offering broad global insights, this research addresses the knowledge gap regarding the relationship between folate and cobalamin levels and cognitive function in a cognitively healthy aging population in Qatar. Using a cross-sectional design, we analyzed data from 636 participants in the Qatar Biobank (QBB), evaluating cognitive function through Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) tests and measuring blood levels of folate and cobalamin, alongside demographic, lifestyle, behavioral, and disease-related variables. Through multivariable linear regression, we sought to identify associations between cognitive function metrics and vitamin levels. After adjusting for covariates, z-scores for folate and cobalamin levels in blood were each positively associated with Paired Associated Learning First Attempt Memory Scores (PALFAMS), (β: 0.17; 95% CI: −0.188, 0.538; P = 0.334 and β: 0.19; 95% CI: -0.15, 0.53; P = 0.28, respectively). Moreover, z-scores for cobalamin levels were negatively associated with Spatial Working Memory Between Errors Scores (SWMBES) after accounting for covariates, (β: -0.46; 95% CI: −1.22, 0.30; P = 0.237). Conversely, after adjusting for confounders, z-scores for blood folate were positively associated with SWMBE scores, (β: 0.14; 95% CI: −0.67, 0.94; P = 0.74). The results revealed no statistically significant associations between the levels of folate and cobalamin in blood and cognitive function metrics which underscores the necessity for more robust studies to unravel the multifaceted interactions between nutrition and cognitive health, thereby informing more effective interventions for cognitive impairment prevention and management.