[The relation between plasma homocysteine level and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]

To investigate the relationship between plasma level of homocysteine (Hcy) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The differences of Hcy, Vitamin B(12), and folate levels between 150 outpatients with ALS and 137 age and sex matched controls were compared in a cross-sectional study.

Compared with the healthy controls, patients with ALS had a higher plasma Hcy level [(18.47 ± 13.09) µmol/L vs (11.91 ± 5.37) µmol/L, P < 0.001] and a lower folate level [(8.39 ± 4.45) ng/ml vs (10.38 ± 5.01) ng/ml, P < 0.001]. In a logistic regression model using ALS as a dependent variable, plasma level of Hcy was significantly associated with ALS. A trend for higher Hcy levels in patients with shorter interval from symptom onset to diagnosis (ODI) was also found [Hcy levels (20.73 ± 15.79) µmol/L with ODI < 19 months vs (16.41 ± 9.73) µmol/L with ODI ≥ 19 months, P = 0.035].

Plasma Hcy level is significantly increased in patients with ALS. The individuals with shorter time to diagnosis present higher Hcy level, suggesting that it may associate with the progression pace of ALS.