Fragoso YD, Campos NS, Tenrreiro BF, Guillen FJ. Systematic review of the literature on vitamin A and memory.
Dement Neuropsychol 2012;
6:219-222. [PMID:
29213801 PMCID:
PMC5619333 DOI:
10.1590/s1980-57642012dn06040005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Over the last 30 years, a variety of studies reporting the effects of vitamin
A on memory have been published.
Objective
To perform a rigorous systematic review of the literature on vitamin A and
memory in order to organize evidence-based data on the subject.
Methods
Four authors carried out the systematic review in accordance with strict
guidelines. The terms "vitamin A" OR "retinol" OR "retinoic acid" AND
"memory" OR "cognition" OR "Alzheimer" were searched in virtually all
medical research databases.
Results
From 236 studies containing the key words, 44 were selected for this review,
numbering 10 reviews and 34 original articles. Most studies used animal
models for studying vitamin A and cognition. Birds, mice and rats were more
frequently employed whereas human studies accounted for only two reports on
brain tissue from autopsies and one on the role of isotretinoin in cognition
among individuals taking this medication to treat acne.
Conclusion
Vitamin A may be an important and viable complement in the treatment and
prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Clinical trials are imperative and, at
present, there is no evidence-based data to recommend vitamin A
supplementation for the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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