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Homocysteine and Age-Related Central Nervous System Diseases: Role of Inflammation

Amany Tawfik1,2,3,4,5, Nehal M Elsherbiny1,2,6, Yusra Zaidi1,2

  • 1Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

High homocysteine levels (HHcy) are common in older adults and linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's (AD) and eye conditions. Inflammation disrupts blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers, contributing to these HHcy-related aging diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Ophthalmology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is prevalent in the aging population.
  • HHcy is associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and ocular conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR).
  • Disruption of blood-brain and blood-retinal barrier integrity is a key mechanism in HHcy-related disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of inflammation in HHcy-induced barrier dysfunction.
  • To explore the link between HHcy, barrier impairment, and neurovascular injury in aging diseases.
  • To focus on the implications for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on HHcy, neurodegenerative diseases, and eye diseases.
  • Analysis of mechanisms underlying blood-brain and blood-retinal barrier disruption.
  • Examination of the role of inflammation in HHcy-associated pathology.

Main Results:

  • HHcy contributes to neurodegenerative and retinal disorders by impairing barrier function.
  • Impaired barrier function triggers inflammatory responses, exacerbating disease.
  • AD patients frequently exhibit visual impairments, suggesting retinal involvement.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammation is a likely mechanism driving HHcy-induced barrier dysfunction and neurovascular injury in aging.
  • The retina may be a significant site for AD pathology, linked to HHcy.
  • Targeting inflammation could be crucial for managing HHcy-related aging diseases.

Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseage-related macular degenerationdiabetic retinopathyhyperhomocysteinemiainflammation

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