title: A focus on homocysteine in autism.
abstract: Homocysteine is an amino acid, which plays several important roles in human physiology. A wide range of disorders, including neuropsychiatric disorders and autism, are associated with increased homocysteine levels in biological fluids. Various B vitamins: B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), and B9 (folic acid) are required as co-factors by the enzymes involved in homocysteine metabolism. Therefore, monitoring of homocysteine levels in body fluids of autistic children can provide information on genetic and physiological diseases, improper lifestyle (including dietary habits), as well as a variety of pathological conditions. This review presents information on homocysteine metabolism, determination of homocysteine in biological fluids, and shows abnormalities in the levels of homocysteine in the body fluids of autistic children.
authors.affiliation: Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland. joanna.kaluzna-czaplinska@p.lodz.pl
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kałużna-Czaplińska
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Żurawicz
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michalska
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rynkowski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001361:Avitaminosis / Q000150:complications; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry; D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase / Q000235:genetics; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D007223:Infant; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000378:metabolism; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D005492:Folic Acid; C573423:MTHFR protein, human; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase; D014805:Vitamin B 12