Neuroprotective Effects of Folic Acid: A Review

Folic acid also known as folate and vitamin B9 is of the class of B complex vitamins. It is crucial for homeostatic function of the biological system and is not endogenously produced. It is medically approved for the treatment of megaloblastic anemia. Neurological conditions describe a class of disease conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves impacting several important functions such as cognition, movement, emotion and sensation. They can arise from a number of causes which may include one or more of genetic factors, infections, injuries, toxins and degenerative process. Homocysteine, a neurotoxic amino acid converted by folic acid has been identified in the pathology of many neurological conditions while folic acid on the other hand has been investigated multiple times for its neuroprotective function and mechanism. Folic acid is involved in the neutralization of homocysteine to its nontoxic form. This article highlights some of the reports of the neuroprotective effect of folic acid against homocysteine toxicity, neurodegenerative diseases, neuropsychiatric conditions, fetal and neonatal neuronal health.