title: Mechanisms of homocysteine neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative diseases with special reference to dementia.
abstract: Mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Human studies suggest that homocysteine (Hcy) plays a role in brain damage, cognitive and memory decline. Numerous studies in recent years investigated the role of Hcy as a cause of brain damage. Hcy itself or folate and vitamin B12 deficiency can cause disturbed methylation and/or redox potentials, thus promoting calcium influx, amyloid and tau protein accumulation, apoptosis, and neuronal death. The Hcy effect may also be mediated by activating the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtype. Numerous neurotoxic effects of Hcy can be blocked by folate, glutamate receptor antagonists, or various antioxidants. This review describes the most important mechanisms of Hcy neurotoxicity and pharmacological agents known to reverse Hcy effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Saarland, Kirrberger Strasse, Gebäude 57, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Rima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Obeid
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Herrmann
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003704:Dementia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine