B vitamin intakes modify the association between particulate air pollutants and incidence of all-cause dementia: Findings from the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study

INTRODUCTION: Particulate air pollutants may induce neurotoxicity by increasing homocysteine levels, which can be lowered by high B vitamin intakes. Therefore, we examined whether intakes of three B vitamins (folate, B(12), and B(6)) modified the association between PM(2.5) exposure and incidence of all-cause dementia. METHODS: This study included 7183 women aged 65 to 80 years at baseline. B vitamin intakes from diet and supplements were estimated by food frequency questionnaires at baseline. The 3-year average PM(2.5) exposure was estimated using a spatiotemporal model. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 9 years, 342 participants developed all-cause dementia. We found that residing in locations with PM(2.5) exposure above the regulatory standard (12 μg/m(3)) was associated with a higher risk of dementia only among participants with lower intakes of these B vitamins. DISCUSSION: This is the first study suggesting that the putative neurotoxicity of PM(2.5) exposure may be attenuated by high B vitamin intakes.