Objective: We examined the association between serum vitamin D levels and episodic memory and tested whether this association was modified by β-amyloid (Aβ) positivity in nondemented older adults.
Methods: A total 427 nondemented older adults were included for this study. All participants underwent clinical assessments, amyloid positron emission tomography and MRI, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels measurement. For evaluation of episodic memory, performances on immediate recall (IR), delayed recall (DR), and recognition (Rc) of the Logical Memory Subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale–Fourth Edition were assessed for all participants.
Results: Overall, serum 25(OH)D levels were positively associated with Rc. In addition, the interaction between serum 25(OH)D levels and Aβ positivity was significant for the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and all three measurements of episodic memory. Subsequent subgroup analyses revealed significant positive association between serum 25(OH)D levels and IR, DR, and Rc in the Aβ-positive group, but not in the Aβ-negative group.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest a differential association between serum vitamin D level and episodic memory according to Aβ positivity status in nondemented older adult, indicating the importance of serum vitamin D in episodic memory, particularly among those within Alzheimer’s disease spectrum.