Folate Metabolism in Brain

Micronutrients and HIV Infection

“…Vitamin B 12 is needed to convert folate to its active form, and due to this interaction, deficiency of vitamin B 12 has hematological consequences similar to the deficiency of folate, resulting in megaloblastic (pernicious) anemia [94]. However, folate deficiency does not damage myelin, as does vitamin B 12 deficiency, but folate deficiency is also characterized by neurological symptoms, such as irritability, forgetfulness, and often hostile and paranoid behavior [118]. As has been found with other methyl donors, such as vitamins B 6 and B 12 , folate has a role in the conversion of homocysteine into cysteine, homocysteine clearance from blood, the prevention of oxidative damage to the blood vessels and reduction of cardiovascular disease risk [88,89].…”

Folic Acid Deficiency in the Elderly

“…Alternatively, this could be the result of a folate deficiency or a secondary nutritional folate deficit, which could aggravate the underlying mental disorder 36 . Both low serum and red blood cell folate levels have been linked to both cognitive function deficits and dementia 31 . A highly significant correlation has been found between low red cell folate and the severity of the dementia on a mental assessment score 32 .…”

“…Folic acid is uniquely concentrated in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the concentration in the CSF being about three times that of plasma; hence, a cerebral trapping or active transport process must be present. 16,17,30,31 …”