title: Hyperhomocysteinemia and neurologic disorders: a review.
abstract: Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is generated during methionine metabolism. It has a physiologic role in DNA metabolism via methylation, a process governed by the presentation of folate, and vitamins B6 and B12. Physiologic Hcy levels are determined primarily by dietary intake and vitamin status. Elevated plasma levels of Hcy (eHcy) can be caused by deficiency of either vitamin B12 or folate, or a combination thereof. Certain genetic factors also cause eHcy, such as C667T substitution of the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. eHcy has been observed in several medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disorders, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, minimal cognitive impairment, dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and eclampsia. There is evidence from laboratory and clinical studies that Hcy, and especially eHcy, exerts direct toxic effects on both the vascular and nervous systems. This article provides a review of the current literature on the possible roles of eHcy relevant to various neurologic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ansari
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahta
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical Center-New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mallack
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Jin Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Luo
keywords: hyperhomocysteinemia; neurologic disorders; pregnancy