Cognition and Vitamin D in Older African-American Women- Physical performance and Osteoporosis prevention with vitamin D in older African Americans Trial and Dementia.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels recommended by Endocrine Society guidelines (>30 ng/mL) on cognition in healthy older African-American women over 3 years. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Bone Mineral Research Center at New York University Winthrop Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy postmenopausal African American women aged 65 and older (N=260; mean age 68.2 ± 4.9; 46% college education or higher). INTERVENTION: Half of the women were randomized to receive vitamin D (adjusted to achieve a serum level > 30 ng/mL) with calcium (diet and supplement total of 1,200 mg), and half were randomized to receive placebo with calcium (1,200 mg). MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive assessments every 6 months using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to detect cognitive decline. Mean MMSE scores were calculated over time for both groups. Those with MMSE scores less than 21 at baseline were excluded. RESULTS: The average dose of vitamin D3 was 3,490 ± 1,465 IU per day, and average serum 25(OH)D at 3 years was 46.8 ± 1.2 ng/mL in the active group and 20.7 ± 1.1 ng/mL in the placebo group. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was maintained at greater than 30 ng/mL in 90% of the active group. Over the 3-year period, MMSE scores increased in both groups (p < .001), although change over time was not significantly different between the groups. No adverse events associated with vitamin D were observed. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in cognition over time between older African-American women with serum concentrations of 25(OH)D of 30 ng/mL and greater than those taking placebo. There is no evidence to support vitamin D intake greater than the recommended daily allowance in this population for preventing cognitive decline. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:81-86, 2019.

Improvement of Giant Cell Lesions of the Jaw Treated With High and Low Doses of Denosumab: A Case Series.

Giant cell tumors (GCTs) and central giant cell granulomas (CGCGs) are aggressive lesions that appear in the jaw. These lesions occur in the second and third decades of life and often arise in the mandible. Clinical manifestations of these lesions vary from asymptomatic to symptomatic tooth displacement with cortical perforation. GCTs, which are characterized by multinucleated osteoclast-type giant cells that express receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) ligand, rarely present in the jaw and have overlapping histopathologic features with CGCGs, which are composed of fibroblastic stromal cell lesions. GCTs and CGCGs have overlying histopathologic features that make distinction between the two challenging. There is a real controversy as to whether giant cell tumors and central giant cell granulomas are in fact, one and the same lesion. The majority of GCTs occur in the long bone, with surgery being the typical therapeutic option. Denosumab as a treatment modality is a fairly new concept that has been used effectively in GCTs affecting long bones. There is less experience, however, with its use for jaw lesions. This seven-case series describes the effective use of both low-dose and high-dose denosumab in the treatment of GCTs and CGCGs affecting the jaw and special dosing considerations for younger patients who present with disease. © 2017 The Authors. JBMR Plus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Indications and Outcomes of Osteoporosis and Bone Modulation Therapies.

Osteoporosis is a disorder of bone strength that leads to an increased risk of fractures. It is most commonly seen in patients aged 50 or older, although it can sometimes occur at a younger age if there are other comorbidities present. The most common cause of osteoporosis by far is menopause, although it also occurs in men, usually with higher morbidity rates than those seen in women. There are many treatment options available, such as anabolics and antiresorptives, with many more currently being developed. However, osteoporosis remains grossly unrecognized and untreated, resulting in a significant strain on the American economy.

Antiresorptive Therapies for Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease of low bone density, translating to increased fragility and risk for fracture. It is a significant public health problem that is widely undertreated, despite the many options of treatment available. Among these, the most effective are the antiresorptive medications, such as bisphosphonates. There is an abundance of evidence about the efficacy and safety profile of these medications. However, there is mounting evidence that, after 10 years on treatment with a bisphosphonate, patients are at a higher risk of developing some of the serious side effects of atypical femur fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw.