A group of 25 normal subjects were also included as controls. Serum tHcy and Lp(a) were measured by kinetic method and nephelometric method respectively.\n\nResults: Serum tHcy (mu mol/L) and Lp(a) (mg/dl) levels were elevated in Patient-I0 that reduced in Patient-II(0) after vitamins supplementation, but not to the normal control

level. tHcy of Patient-I(0) was 25.1 +/- 4.7 mu mol/L, of Patient-II(0) was 20.1 +/- 4.5 mu mol/L and of controls 12.1 +/- 3.3, p < 0.001. Lp(a) of Patient-I(0) was 43.1 +/- 15.2 mg/dL, of Patient-II(0) was 35.6 +/- 10.2 mg/dL, Control: 22.3 +/- 5.2 mg/dL, p < 0.001. Elevated tHcy and Lp(a) levels were independent of the traditional risk factors (p > 0.1). However, in a significant proportion of patients tHcy and Lp(a) levels check details were reduced to control levels (tHcy: p < 0.001, Lp(a): p < 0.01).\n\nConclusion: These results indicated that tHcy and Lp(a) levels were possibly atherogenic risk factors independent of conventional risk factors. Since both tHcy and Lp(a) levels responded in a similar fashion, a common point of the metabolic and pathogenetic pathways of tHcy and Lp(a) may be influenced by the vitamins supplementation.”
“Obesity

is a risk factor for neurodegenerative disease and has been shown to adversely affect cognitive function. Professional athletes who participate in sports, which expose them to repetitive concussions, may be at heightened risk for cognitive impairment. Here, we investigated the effects of body mass as measured by waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) on regional cerebral blood flow using single-photon emission

Compound C computed tomography imaging in 38 healthy weight (WHtR mean 49.34 +/- 2.8; age 58 +/- 9.6) and 38 overweight (WHtR mean 58.7 +/- 4.7; age 58 +/- 13.3) retired National Football League football players. After matching for age and position, we used a two sample t-test to determine the differences in blood flow in healthy versus overweight subjects. Statistical parametric mapping revealed a higher WHtR ratio is associated with decreased blood flow in Brodmann areas 8, 9 and 10, brain regions involved in attention, BMS-777607 mw reasoning and executive function (P < 0.05, family-wise error) along with deficits in the temporal pole. Moreover, overweight athletes had significant decrease in attention (P = 0.01326), general cognitive proficiency (P = 0.012; Microcog: Assessment of Cognitive Functioning) and memory (P = 0.005; Mild Cognitive Impairment Screen). The association between elevated WHtR percentage and decreased blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and temporal pole may be correlated with the decreased performance on tests of attention and memory. These findings suggest that a weight management program may be critical to the health of athletes who have been exposed to mild brain trauma during their careers. Translational Psychiatry (2012) 2, e68; doi:10.1038/tp.2011.