Role of Vitamin D on cognitive performance among healthy volunteers of SANSCOG cohort

Abstract

Summary: Background and aims: Nutrients such as vitamin D play an important role in aging and dementia and evidence on the effect of vitamin D on cognition among healthy aging adults especially in rural India is sparse. Our aim was to observe the effect of vitamin D on cognition. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design we examined cognitive performance between vitamin D sufficient, vitamin D insufficient and vitamin D deficient groups among the cognitively healthy volunteers of SANSCOG cohort. Results: Our analysis revealed that two thirds (74.5%) had suboptimal vitamin D levels (Insufficiency-38.3% and Deficiency-36.2%) and women were more affected than men. Vitamin D levels affected subject's depression scores and diabetes status negatively, however no effect was found on cognitive performance. Discussion: It may be postulated that vitamin D plays an indirect role on cognitive performance. Large proportion of suboptimal vitamin D levels in the rural population warrants proactive public health measures.

Keywords

• Vitamin D deficiency
• Cognition
• Rural population
• India