Schizophrenia and single-carbon metabolism.
Schizophrenic patients generally appear to have a disturbed single-carbon metabolism. Methionine and homocysteine are intermediary metabolites in this metabolic system. In a case-control study of the cerebrospinal fluid, a majority of the patients had elevated methionine and a smaller subgroup had elevated homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine is often explained by folate dependency due to mutations in the gene for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). A most encouraging feature of single-carbon metabolism is its potential modification by natural means, such as B-vitamins and antioxidants. The findings point to a new area of schizophrenia research: the role of nutrients and antioxidants for rational prevention and treatment.
Regland
Björn
B
Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Göteborg University, Sweden. bjorn.regland@vgregion.se
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000503:physiopathology; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006711:Homocystine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008715:Methionine / Q000378:metabolism; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D006711:Homocystine; D002244:Carbon; D008715:Methionine; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D014805:Vitamin B 12