Are age-related behavioral disorders improved by folate administration?
In this brief review of the possible link between age-related behavioral disorders and brain folate levels, preliminary data on humans and animals are presented. These data indicate that folate administration may improve some age-related behavioral dysfunctions. In aged humans and rats, there is a defect in the absorption of dietary folate, leading perhaps to a decrease in brain folate levels. If so, folate therapy may replenish brain stores of folates and may reverse some age-related behavioral deficits. Some questions concerning the possible relationship among mood status, intellectual functions, and folate levels in aging are discussed.
Joyal
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CC
Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Neurology Service, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Lalonde
R
R
Vikis-Freibergs
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V
Botez
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MI
D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence
D005492:Folic Acid