Evaluation of white matter integrity by diffusion tensor imaging in the deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folate in older patients.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether white matter (WM) integrity is impaired in vitamin B12 and folate deficiency with Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in older patients. All the patients aged ≥65 years admitted to the geriatric clinic and performed DTI-MRI were included in the study. DTI parameters (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity) were calculated by ROI-based method in white matter tracts. Deficiency threshold for vitamin B12 were defined as <200 pg ml DTI was performed to older patients having serum vitamin B12 level ( Deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folate may be associated with impaired white matter integrity in elderly even at high laboratory levels, and DTI is a useful method to detect it. Early detection of impaired WM integrity caused by micronutrient deficiencies poses a great significance in terms of prevention and intervention, and DTI is an effective non-invasive method to be used for this purpose.