Helicobacter pylori moderates the association between 5-MTHF concentration and cognitive function in older adults

Keywords

Heliobacter pylori, vitamins, cognitive impairment, cognition, elderly, blood pressure, enzyme metabolism, gastrointestinal infections

Abstract

Objective

To explore potential interactions between folate-cycle factors and Helicobacter pylori sero- positivity in the prediction of cognitive function.

Methods

We used data obtained from the 1999–2000 continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey produced by the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention. Using Ordinary Least Squares regression, we tested for associations between mul- tiple folate-cycle factors, Helicobacter pylori seropositivity, and cognitive function assessed by the digit symbol coding subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III. We then tested for interactions between each of the folate-cycle factors and Helicobacter pylori in the prediction of cognitive function.

Results

Although Helicobacter pylori seropositivity, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, vitamin B-12, and homocysteine were not associated with performance on the digit symbol coding task, Heli- cobacter pylori seropositivity interacted with 5-methyltetrahydrofolate concentration to pre- dict performance on the digit symbol coding task. The Helicobacter pylori seropositive group performed worse on the digit symbol coding task as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate concentration decreased.

Conclusion

The interaction between Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and reduced folate-cycle factor 5- methyltetrahydrofolate might impair aspects of cognitive function.

Original Publication Citation

Berrett, Andrew N., Shawn D. Gale, Lance D. Erickson, Bruce L. Brown, Dawson W. Hedges. (Forthcoming). “Helicobacter pylori moderates the association between 5-MTHF concentration and cognitive function in older adults.” PLoS ONE.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2018-01-24

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6698

Publisher

PLoS ONE

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Sociology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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