Vitamin B trial offers hope to cut dementia

Scientists are hoping to start a nationwide clinical trial next year involving 1,000 elderly people across Britain to see whether taking vitamin B supplements can reduce the chances of developing senile dementia.

Research published last year on 270 men and women with mild cognitive impairment showed that a pill containing high doses of B6, B12 and folic acid can significantly reduce the chances of brain shrinkage over two years.

Scientists hope that using dietary supplements to improve mild cognitive impairment, which is associated with the onset of Alzheimer's disease, might delay the onset of dementia.