Medical Aspects of Hyperhomocystinemia and Neurological Disorders

Abstract

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur containing amino acid and is generated during methionine metabolism. Homocysteine has vital influences in DNA metabolism through the methylation process, which in turn is affected by the levels of vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin B6. Physiologically, Hcy levels are determined primarily by dietary intake and the vitamin status in the body. Hence, an increase in Hcy can be nutritional and is also attributable to deficiency of either vitamin B12 or folate, or even its combination. In the past few years of research, studies have observed association [1] between elevated homocysteine levels (eHcy) and conditions like stroke, cardiovascular diseases, ectopia lentis, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and neuropsychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia [2, 3]. Early identification of hyper-homocysteinemia may be useful during the initial workup of common neurologic disorders. The strategy of attempting to normalize homocysteine levels using a simple and potentially non-toxic multivitamin regimen and nutraceutical care can be of use in addition to the usual treatment for many neurological disorders. Hence, it is of high value to explore the role of elevated homocysteine levels in neurological disease and nutraceutical approach in its normalization.