A deficiency in an important vitamin can increase the risk of Alzheimer's

A deficiency in an important vitamin can increase the risk of Alzheimer's

The finding, published in Neurology, shows that adults with high levels of this nutrient had less tau protein accumulation years after the original measurement.

Preventing cognitive decline is one of the greatest challenges in medicine today. In this context, identifying modifiable factors —those that can be adjusted through habits or interventions—has become a priority for scientific research.

A new study coordinated by the American Academy of Neurology provides evidence in that direction. The results indicate that people with higher vitamin D levels in middle age show, more than a decade later, less accumulation of tau protein in the brain, one of the key markers of Alzheimer 's disease .

Although the data do not prove that vitamin D prevents the disease, they do reinforce the hypothesis that certain biological factors may influence long-term risk. The findings were published in the journal Neurology .

Detectar el riesgo antes de los síntomas: el valor de los biomarcadores

El Alzheimer y otras demencias se desarrollan durante años antes de manifestar síntomas visibles. En ese período silencioso, el cerebro comienza a acumular proteínas anómalas, como la tau y la beta amiloide.

La proteína tau cumple funciones estructurales en las neuronas, pero en el Alzheimer se agrupa de forma desordenada, lo que interfiere en la comunicación entre células. Estas alteraciones se asocian con la pérdida progresiva de memoria y otras funciones cognitivas.