High-dose Vitamin-B6 reduces sensory over-responsivity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human Physiology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Sensory reactivity differences affect 5-15% of the population, often manifesting as sensory over-responsivity (SOR).
• SOR involves experiencing sensory stimuli intensely, impacting daily functioning.
• A potential cause of SOR is an imbalance between neural excitation and inhibition, with weakened inhibitory influences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if high-dose Vitamin-B6 supplementation can reduce sensory over-responsivity (SOR) and other sensory reactivity aspects.
• To investigate the efficacy of Vitamin-B6 in modulating neural pathways involved in sensory processing.

Main Methods:

• 300 adults completed the Sensory Processing 3-Dimensions Scale (SP-3D) at baseline and after 1 month of supplementation.
• Participants were randomized to receive 100 mg Vitamin-B6, 1000 µg Vitamin-B12, or placebo.
• Analysis focused on individuals with high baseline SOR scores (above the 87th percentile).

Main Results:

• Vitamin-B6 selectively reduced SOR compared to placebo and Vitamin-B12 in individuals with baseline SOR.
• Vitamin-B6 also selectively reduced postural disorder in those with high baseline scores for this subscale.
• No significant effects were observed on the remaining four SP-3D subscales.

Conclusions:

• High-dose Vitamin-B6 shows promise in reducing sensory over-responsivity and postural disorder.
• Further clinical trials and mechanistic studies are warranted in populations with SOR, such as autism and ADHD.
• Vitamin-B6's role as a coenzyme in GABA synthesis suggests a potential neurobiological mechanism for its effects.