Early B12 deficiency diagnosis for healthy minds later
Nutrient deficiency and its influence on mental health is an issue which is under-researched. This gap in the research market prompted the EU supported project, HOLOTC EARLY B12 MA to examine the relationship between B12 deficiency and the onset of dementia and depression in the elderly. The project as a whole surmised that psychiatric morbidity which can be associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, costs the EU millions a year in care. Yet early treatment has been found to be both effective and inexpensive. The problem arises because identifying those needing therapy is difficult due to the lack of tests which provide diagnostic accuracy. The research team therefore assessed a test capable of measuring holotranscobalamin (transcobalamin bound to vitamin B12).Holotranscobalamin has been found to be a sensitive marker of early B12 deficiency; therefore a low cost test to detect this protein, the holoTC assay, could act as an early warning detection system. In order to achieve this result, one part of the consortium focused solely on utility of the holoTC test. Scientists tested individuals for B12 deficiency and identified the superiority of holoTC in comparison to plasma vitamin B12 measurement. The holoTC test can potentially be used as a basis for determination of the patient's ability to absorb vitamin B12. The holoTC test therefore measures levels of holotranscobalamin, the active, biologically available form of vitamin B12, deficiency of which may be implicated in conditions of morbidity which is an increasing problem amongst elderly and vegetarian populations. Further research was planned to investigate the further potential of the test.
