Minimal hippocampal width relates to plasma homocysteine in community-dwelling older people.

Background: The hippocampus is important for memory. Hippocampal atrophy and higher levels of homocysteine may both predict cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling older people. We tested if higher homocysteine relates to hippocampal thinning in this group.
Subjects: 156 community-dwelling volunteers without clinical memory problems.
Method: We measured minimal hippocampal widths on magnetic resonance images and homocysteine in plasma.
Results: Minimal hippocampal widths related inversely to homocysteine levels.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that, even in healthy older people, homocysteine may damage the hippocampus. Reducing homocysteine levels in healthy older people may help to prevent Alzheimer's disease.