A focus on homocysteine in autism.

Joanna Kałużna-Czaplińska; Ewa Żurawicz; Monika Michalska; Jacek Rynkowski

doi:10.18388/abp.2013_1963

A focus on homocysteine in autism.

Joanna Kałużna-Czaplińska Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland. joanna.kaluzna-czaplinska@p.lodz.pl;
Ewa Żurawicz
Monika Michalska
Jacek Rynkowski

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18388/abp.2013_1963

Abstract

Homocysteine is an amino acid, which plays several important roles in human physiology. A wide range of disorders, including neuropsychiatric disorders and autism, are associated with increased homocysteine levels in biological fluids. Various B vitamins: B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), and B9 (folic acid) are required as co-factors by the enzymes involved in homocysteine metabolism. Therefore, monitoring of homocysteine levels in body fluids of autistic children can provide information on genetic and physiological diseases, improper lifestyle (including dietary habits), as well as a variety of pathological conditions. This review presents information on homocysteine metabolism, determination of homocysteine in biological fluids, and shows abnormalities in the levels of homocysteine in the body fluids of autistic children.

Published

2013-06-06

Issue

Vol. 60 No. 2 (2013)

Section

Articles

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