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Homocysteine levels in schizophrenia and affective disorders-focus on cognition

Ahmed A Moustafa1, Doaa H Hewedi2, Abeer M Eissa2

  • 1School of Social Sciences and Psychology and Marcs Institute for Brain and Behaviour, University of Western Sydney Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
|October 24, 2014
PubMed

Insights

High homocysteine (Hcy) levels are linked to psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. Vitamin B and folic acid supplements may help, but their impact on cognitive function needs further study.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Homocysteine (Hcy) is implicated in cardiovascular diseases and increasingly recognized in psychiatric disorders.
  • Mechanisms linking Hcy to psychiatric conditions include NMDA receptor interaction, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of homocysteine metabolism in psychiatric disorders, focusing on cognitive aspects.
  • To highlight the potential role of Hcy in cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia and affective disorders.
  • To identify future research directions regarding Hcy and cognitive function in psychiatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on homocysteine metabolism, psychiatric disorders, and cognitive function.
  • Analysis of the biological mechanisms connecting Hcy to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and affective disorders.
  • Examination of the effects of vitamin B and folic acid supplementation on Hcy levels and psychiatric symptoms.

Main Results:

  • Elevated Hcy levels are associated with cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and affective disorders.
  • Vitamin B and folic acid supplementation effectively lowers Hcy levels.
  • Current research indicates potential benefits for negative symptoms in schizophrenia but lacks data on cognitive performance.

Conclusions:

  • Homocysteine plays a significant role in the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, particularly concerning cognitive function.
  • Further research is needed to investigate the impact of vitamin B and folic acid add-on therapies on cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia and affective disorders.
  • Understanding Hcy metabolism offers potential therapeutic avenues for cognitive deficits in psychiatric conditions.

Keywords:
bipolar disorderbrain substratescognitiondepressionhomocysteinehyperhomocysteinemiaschizophrenia

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