Italians are on the brain

[Oneash]

mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/1/590 This article is a bit beyond my weary synapses, but it gives a good overview of the recent (2023) knowledge on what vitamin B12 deficiency does to the brain.

As far as I've gathered as well as stopping myelin sheath forming properly, lack of B12 stops the brain's dustbin men working and stops synapses connecting. Which all fits with my memory recall trouble, the embarrassing kind of I know I know you, but I don't know how, or what your name is situation, especially when meeting people in a different place, and random memory revival since self injecting. If you don't remember something mostly you don't know you've forgotten it.

I'm sure CluB-12 would love an excuse for an Italian jolly!!

But I guess the main thing is it highlights there is still plenty to find out.

It all rather morbidly makes me wonder where I can donate my brain to help the cause, when I shuffle off.

It also mentions the combination of B1, B2, B3, B6 with B12 to tackle oxidative stress in the brain.

[Myoldcat]

Well that was a BIG read so early in the day, Oneash! Thanks for the link. Without medical training my takeaways are:-

1. Huge relief that so many symptoms I and others struggle to make our gps believe are noted here as obvious neurological changes from B12 deficiency - yay!

2. There seems to be a mechanism of neurological involvement that is very separate from the anaemia pathway. I think many of us have this but it's not well understood by gps.

3. A recognition of the similarities between Alzheimers, Parkinsons,MS and other neurological conditions in respect of the involvement of B12 deficiency.

This last point might be our best chance of more research and understanding and who knows, might filter down to gps in our lifetimes!

I need to read it again several times, so apologies if I've jumped to any ridiculous conclusions.

[Oneash in reply to Myoldcat]

I didn't comprehend all of it. I used to be clever once. I think I'm pretending I still am! Comprehending why I'm so depressed, doesn't stop it. I'm really struggling to get stuff I need to do done.

I should go to the GP and explain I feel I have early dementia, but can't face engaging in all that, or going down the wrong rabbit hole of medical intervention.

[Myoldcat in reply to Oneash]

Is your B12 regime open to increasing frequency? If so, maybe trialling extra injections could be interesting? My other take away from the study was a feeling of amazement that anyone, anywhere ever metabolises B12!

[Oneash in reply to Myoldcat]

I'm on at least every other day. I have been doing daily injections, but my thighs have been a bit swolen. I do seem to have ballooned this winter.

[MorningMist]

‘If you don't remember something mostly you don't know you've forgotten it.’ Yes that’s the very worst memory lapse, the one I fear. The first type, where you are all too aware that you’ve forgotten something or a name, usually rectifies itself within a short time. In my case I repeat the letters of the alphabet to myself until the memory resurfaces.

[Myoldcat in reply to MorningMist]

That's a good tip!