Article
LIU Bin, LI Qiuju, YAN Fang, ZHANG Wenbo, ZHENG Yunyun, WANG Yuhui
Objective To investigate the effect of triple vitamin therapy(folic acid, vitamin B6, and mecobalamin) on cognitive function in patients with white matter lesions and hyperhomocysteinemia. Methods A total of 89 patients with white matter lesions and hyperhomocysteinemia were prospectively enrolled and divided into a cognitive impairment group[Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)<26, n=66)] and a non-cognitive impairment group(MoCA≥26, n=23),based on the baseline MoCA scores. All patients received triple vitamin therapy for 12 months. The baseline characteristics between the two groups were compared, the cognitive function changes after treatment were evaluated, and the influencing factors of cognitive improvement (defined as MoCA score increase≥2 points) were analyzed by logistic regression. Results Except for MoCA scores[cognitive impairment group: 20.0(17.0, 23.0)points vs. non-cognitive impairment group: 26.0(26.0, 27.0)points, P<0.001], there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, gender, education level, vascular risk factors, laboratory indicators, and Fazekas scores(P>0.05). After 12 months of treatment, serum total homocysteine levels significantly decreased(P<0.001). The change in MoCA total score from baseline was 1.0(-2.0, 3.0) points(P=0.126) in the cognitive impairment group and -1.0(-3.0, 1.0) points(P=0.053) in the non-cognitive impairment group, with a statistically significant difference between the two group(P=0.020). Subdomain analysis showed that the cognitive impairment group had significant improvements compared to the baseline in visuospatial and executive function(P<0.001), naming(P<0.001), attention(P=0.015), and abstraction(P=0.013), with changes in visuospatial and executive functio(P=0.004) and naming(P=0.017) being significantly superior to those in the non-cognitive impairment group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that baseline MoCA score was an independent predictor of cognitive improvement(odds ratio=0.76, 95% Wald confidence interval: 0.64-0.87, P<0.001). Conclusion Triple vitamin therapy for 12 months can improve specific cognitive functions in patients with white matter lesions and hyperhomocysteinemia, especially in patients with baseline cognitive impairment. Visuospatial and executive function, naming, abstraction, and attention have improved significantly. Patients with poorer baseline cognitive function have greater room for improvement.