Affiliation:
1. From Departments of Neurology (B.P., J.S., I.K., R.R., J.L.), Clinical Chemistry (P.M.), Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment (A.K.), University Hospital Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Abstract
Background and Purpose—
Blood–brain barrier dysfunction may be an early phenomenon in the development of the small vessel disease, which underlies white matter lesions. Because vitamin B12 plays a role in maintaining the integrity of the blood–brain barrier, we studied serum vitamin B12 level in relation to such lesions.
Methods—
In 124 patients with first lacunar stroke, we measured serum vitamin B12 level and rated the degree of white matter lesions on MRI.
Results—
Mean vitamin B12 level was 202 pmol/L (SD, 68.9). Thirty-nine patients (31.5%) had a vitamin B12 level less than the lower reference value of 150 pmol/L. Lower vitamin B12 level was (statistically significant) associated with more severe periventricular white matter lesions (odds ratio/100 pmol/L decrease, 1.773; 95% CI, 1.001–3.003), but not with deep white matter lesions (odds ratio/100 pmol/L decrease, 1.441; 95% CI, 0.881–2.358; ordered multivariate regression analysis).
Conclusions—
More severe periventricular white matter lesions in lacunar stroke patients relate to lower vitamin B12 levels. A possible causal relationship should now be studied prospectively.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Subject
Advanced and Specialized Nursing,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine,Neurology (clinical)
Cited by
39 articles.
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