Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension
05:57

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension

Published on: May 17, 2024

[The clinical studies of hyperhomocysteinemia and Alzheimer's disease]

Yan-Ling Li1, Yue Hou, Chao Niu

  • 1The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China.

Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi = Zhongguo Yingyong Shenglixue Zazhi = Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology
|July 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels and folate deficiency are linked to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Higher Hcy correlates with poorer cognitive function, suggesting Hcy as an AD risk factor.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Gerontology

Context:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
  • Cognitive decline is a hallmark symptom of AD.
  • Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been implicated in various neurological conditions.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the correlation between cognitive function decline and plasma homocysteine levels in Alzheimer's disease patients.
  • To compare Hcy and folate levels between AD patients and healthy controls.
  • To assess the relationship between Hcy levels and cognitive assessment scores (MMSE, CDR).

Summary:

  • Patients with Alzheimer's disease exhibited significantly higher serum homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations compared to controls.
  • AD patients showed lower serum and dietary folate levels.
  • A higher incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia was observed in the AD group (64%) versus the control group (22%).
  • Increased Hcy levels were significantly associated with higher Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores and lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, indicating a negative correlation between Hcy and cognitive function.

Impact:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is identified as a potential risk factor for the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
  • The findings highlight a significant negative correlation between homocysteine levels and cognitive function in AD patients.
  • Folate deficiency is suggested as a key contributor to elevated Hcy levels in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling (q3DISM) of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease09:33

Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling (q3DISM) of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: December 26, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview01:26

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment01:22

Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...