Folic acid and autism: updated evidences

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Nutritional Psychiatry
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition impacting communication, socialization, and behavior.
• Folic acid is vital for neurological health, prompting investigation into its association with ASD.
• This study updates previous reviews on folic acid and ASD, synthesizing current research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing literature on the relationship between folic acid and ASD.
• To update the understanding of folic acid's role in ASD based on recent studies.
• To evaluate the impact of folic acid intake, serum levels, and interventions in individuals with ASD.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search identified 2,389 studies on folic acid and ASD.
• Two reviewers selected studies based on titles and abstracts; eligible studies were read in full.
• Fifty-two studies involving 10,429 individuals with ASD were included, analyzing vitamin levels, homocysteine, methionine, interventions, and maternal exposure.

Main Results:

• Consistent evidence indicates insufficient folic acid intake in the majority of individuals with ASD.
• No association was found between maternal folic acid exposure during pregnancy and the risk of ASD in offspring.
• Folic acid interventions showed improvements in communication, socialization, and behavior in some individuals with ASD, but results were variable.

Conclusions:

• The consistent finding of insufficient folic acid intake in individuals with ASD underscores the need for further nutritional assessment.
• Maternal folic acid supplementation does not appear to be a risk factor for ASD.
• While folic acid interventions show promise, the heterogeneity of ASD necessitates personalized approaches and further rigorous research.