Study Links Lower Plasma Vitamin C to Reduced Gray Matter in 2,044 Older Adults
Updated
Updated · Medical Dialogues · Jun 28
Study Links Lower Plasma Vitamin C to Reduced Gray Matter in 2,044 Older Adults
3 articles · Updated · Medical Dialogues · Jun 28
Summary
MRI scans from 2,044 Japanese adults aged over 64 showed lower plasma vitamin C levels were associated with lower gray matter volume and weaker connectivity in the brain’s default mode network.
The researchers adjusted for age, physical activity and education, aiming to isolate a direct link between blood vitamin C levels and brain structure after earlier work had focused mainly on diet and cognitive risk.
The default mode network supports functions including attention and autobiographical memory, making the association relevant to how brain aging may affect cognition.
PLOS One published the study on June 10, but the authors said it does not prove vitamin C causes better brain health and called for repeated measurements and more diverse cohorts.