The Effects of Methylfolate on Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Dementia and cognitive decline are highly prevalent in later life and are growing public health concerns worldwide due to the increasing aging population. Individuals diagnosed with dementia have reduced mental function, resulting in social and cognitive skill deficits, increased dependence, and reduced autonomy—all of which are conditions associated with higher mortality rates. This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of treating dementia and cognitive decline with methylfolate. The main outcomes analyzed will be dementia and changes in cognitive function measured by different instruments in older adults treated with methylfolate. Secondary outcomes, such as inflammatory markers, plasma folic-acid levels, and total homocysteine, will also be assessed. Methods and Analysis: This study will be carried out in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. This protocol is registered in the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews, under the code CRD42021275755. We will include clinical trials conducted with older adults diagnosed with dementia or cognitive decline and treated with folic acid. The searches will be conducted on the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases, and the articles will be selected by reading their titles and abstracts first, followed by the full text. The quality of the selected studies will be assessed using GRADE and the risk of bias will be assessed using the Downs-and-Black method. Ethics and Dissemination: The results will be presented at scientific conferences and disseminated by publishing a scientific article in an international English-language journal. We hope to find robust and significant evidence regarding the effectiveness of methylfolate supplementation in improving dementia symptoms and cognitive decline among older adults. By systematizing this evidence and possibly performing a meta-analysis study, we expect to significantly contribute to the treatment of this health problem, reduce mortality, and improve the quality of life and health of this population, boosting the development of medical protocols capable of reducing the financial effects of public health.