S-adenosylmethionine levels in psychiatric and neurological disorders: a review.
BACKGROUND
S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is an important methyl donor in over 35 methylation reactions involving DNA, proteins, phospholipids and catechol- and indole- amines.


METHODS
This article reviews the studies that have examined brain and blood levels of SAMe in several psychological, neurological and metabolic disorders.


RESULTS
Although studies have found no consistent changes in whole blood SAMe levels in psychiatric patients, other investigators have found low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) SAMe levels in patients with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's dementia, subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (SACD), and HIV-related neuropathies, as well as in patients with metabolic disorders such as 5, 10-CH2-H4 folate reductase deficiency.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous or oral administration of SAMe thus represents a possible treatment for these neurological and metabolic disorders.
Bottiglieri
T
T
Metabolic Disease Center, Baylor Research Institute, Dallas, TX 75226.
Hyland
K
K
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008745:Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy
D002395:Catecholamines; D010743:Phospholipids; D012313:RNA; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine; D004247:DNA