Evidences reveal that vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism can influence the cognitive abilities of the normal aged subjects. The study was conducted on 50 non demented subjects ≥ 60 years old. Global assessment of cognitive function by: Modified Mini-Mental State examination test (3MS; Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised). Assessment of specific cognitive functions; for attention: Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test and Trail B Test. Memory: Story A from logical memory subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised, Paired Associate learning test and Benton Visual Retention test. Language: Token test. Visuospatial abilities: Block Design test. Measurement of 25 hydroxy vitamin D in serum and genotyping using PCR to detect the polymorphisms of VDRApaI and VDR-TaqI was done. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be associated with poor performance in tests assessing memory and attention, but no relation was with performance in executive functions, language or visuospatial abilities. VDR-ApaI polymorphism was found to affect memory and psychomotor speed but no effect on the performance in tests assessing attention, executive functions, language or visuospatial abilities. No effect for VDR-TaqI polymorphism on the performance in different tests. So, vitamin Vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism play an important role in exacerbating cognitive impairment of normal aging.

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