Are age-related behavioral disorders improved by folate administration?

Joyal, Christian C.; Lalonde, Robert; Vīķis-Freibergs, Vaira; Botez, M.I.

doi:10.1080/03610739308253944

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Relatively little research has addressed the potential reversibility of cognitive deficits associated with vitamin deficiency, and some of it suffers from methodological problems (e.g., a lack of adequate control groups and a focus on case studies with limited genera- lizability). With these caveats in mind, there is partial evidence that replacement therapy with vitamin B 12 (Meadows, Kaplan, & Bromfield, 1994; Shulman, 1967) as well as folic acid (Botez et al, 1984; Rapin et al, 1988) may result in cognitive improvement (but see Joyal, Lalonde, Vikis-Freibergs, & Botez, 1993; Kral et al, 1970). Conceivably, the duration of vitamin deficiency may be an important factor determining the likelihood of successful replacement therapy: The probability of obtaining positive effects may decrease with increasing time of deficiency.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of serum vitamin B₁₂ and folate status on episodic memory performance in very old age: A population-based study.

Wåhlin¹,

Hill²,

Winblad³

et al. 1996

Psychology and Aging

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We examined the relationship between low levels of serum vitamin B12 (< 200 pmol/L) and folic acid (< 11 nmol/L), separately or combined, and episodic memory performance in very old age. Participants with low serum vitamin values were compared with a control group matched for age and educational level. Participants (N = 250) were selected from a group of nondemented, community-dwelling persons ages 75-96. Episodic memory was tested by means of free recall and recognition of slowly and rapidly presented words. Results indicated a deterioration in both free recall and recognition as a function of serum vitamin status. However, no linear effects of vitamin levels on memory were observed, indicating that vitamin B12 and folic acid status may effect memory only among individuals at the low end of the distribution. We speculate that the vitamin-related memory deficit may reflect encoding problems, possibly due to alterations in brain metabolism.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of serum vitamin B₁₂ and folate status on episodic memory performance in very old age: A population-based study.

Wåhlin¹,

Hill²,

Winblad³

et al. 1996

Psychology and Aging

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“…In the nine severely demented patients, no obvious clinical improvement and general CBF change were observed. In Joyal et al, 1993 Canada: 344 rats at 20 and 9 months of age. The old rats were randomly separated into 3 groups Folic acid 5 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, or placebo (saline) injected intraperitoneally every 2 days respectively for the 3 groups for 32 days Therapy with folic acid improved spatial memory in aged rats.…”

Section: Nijst Et Al 1990mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Young rats also received placebo. Therapy with folic acid improved spatial memory in the aged rats [Joyal et al, 1993]. In an open clinical study, in which aged patients with memory disorders without overt signs of dementia and low levels of blood folate were treated with folic acid 50 mg/week.…”

Section: Folate and Alzheimer's Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a review article on vitamin supplementation, Joyal et al [1993] concluded that the data so far indicate that some memory and affective disorders in old age may be improved with folate therapy. Another review article which included 13 studies published in the literature addressed the relevance of low folate levels as determinants of cognitive deficits and the usefulness of folate supplementation in the treatment of cognitive deficits.…”

Section: Folate and Alzheimer's Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

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Vitamin B₁₂, folate, and Alzheimer's disease

Wang

2002

Drug Development Research

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Vitamin B 12 and folate have been suspected to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) for years, as a deficiency of either vitamin may produce severe neurological consequences, including confusion and memory loss. This review briefly summarizes the major studies published in the literature concerning vitamin B 12 , folate, and AD. Using a number of study designs and exposure assessments, findings from studies conducted from different countries suggest that vitamin B 12 deficiency/low level is more often found in AD patients than nondemented persons. The results of folate in relation to AD have been inconsistent. Generally, population-based studies indicate that folate deficiency/low level is not only related to AD but also all types of dementia. Results from studies on the combination of the two vitamins suggest that vitamin B 12 and folate may be equally important in the etiology of AD. The null findings from some of the studies may have resulted from the differences in study design, population, control selections, as well as methods of exposure assessment and cut-offs chosen. It may be premature to reach any conclusions at the moment based on the limited studies available, especially the lack of prospective studies and randomized clinical trials. Studies conducted up to the present suggest that deficiency / low level of vitamin B 12 and folate may be of etiological importance for AD. Drug Dev.

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Methylfolate modulates potassium evoked neuro-secretion: Evidence for a role at the pteridine cofactor level of tyrosine 3-hydroxylase

1995

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We have previously shown that 5-methyltetrahydrofolate influences neuro-secretion. The present study more precisely characterises the processes involved and considers one probable site of action. Focusing on the tyrosine-noradrenalin axis in cerebellum we showed 5-methyltetrahydrofolate causes a significant reduction in the apparent K+ evoked secretion of noradrenalin to only 12.9% of control release. Evidence supports the idea that this could actually be due to increased synthesis leading to; depletion of reserves, possibly through leakage, exocytotic inhibition via activation of presynaptic receptors or end product inhibition by noradrenalin at the pteridine cofactor level of tyrosine hydroxylase: a) concomitant decreased measurement of perfusate and intracellular tyrosine with released noradrenalin following 5-methyltetrahydrofolate treatment supports the idea of increased transmitter turn over; b) kinetic studies indicate that at saturating concentrations of tyrosine and in the presence of an inhibitor of L-DOPA decarboxylase, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate partially duplicates the rate limiting behaviour of a synthetic pteridine cofactor--DL,2-amino-4-hydroxy-6,7,dimethyltetrahydropteridine. We debate whether, in vivo, CSF 5-methyltetrahydrofolate might interact at the tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor level of tyrosine hydroxylase and other aromatic amino-acid hydroxylases.

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Are age-related behavioral disorders improved by folate administration?

Cited by 8 publications

References 31 publications

Effects of serum vitamin B₁₂ and folate status on episodic memory performance in very old age: A population-based study.

Effects of serum vitamin B₁₂ and folate status on episodic memory performance in very old age: A population-based study.

Vitamin B₁₂, folate, and Alzheimer's disease

Methylfolate modulates potassium evoked neuro-secretion: Evidence for a role at the pteridine cofactor level of tyrosine 3-hydroxylase

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Are age-related behavioral disorders improved by folate administration?

Cited by 8 publications

References 31 publications

Effects of serum vitamin B₁₂ and folate status on episodic memory performance in very old age: A population-based study.

Effects of serum vitamin B₁₂ and folate status on episodic memory performance in very old age: A population-based study.

Vitamin B12, folate, and Alzheimer's disease

Methylfolate modulates potassium evoked neuro-secretion: Evidence for a role at the pteridine cofactor level of tyrosine 3-hydroxylase

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Vitamin B₁₂, folate, and Alzheimer's disease