Publications (2)7.27 Total impact
-
Article: Reduced folic acid, vitamin B12 and docosahexaenoic acid and increased homocysteine and cortisol in never-medicated schizophrenia patients: implications for altered one-carbon metabolism.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Abnormal one-carbon metabolism has long been suggested as one of the mechanisms for neuropathology and psychopathology of schizophrenia. Variable levels of components of one-carbon metabolism (folic acid and vitamin B12) and consequent altered levels of homocysteine and phospholipid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been independently reported, mostly in medicated patients. This study examined the simultaneous levels of these key components of one-carbon metabolism and its consequences in unique, medication-naïve first-episode psychotic patients (FEP, n=31) and healthy controls (HC, n=48) matched for confounds such as race, diet and lifestyle to reduce the variability. Significantly lower levels of folate and vitamin B12 in plasma and folate in red blood cells were observed in FEP compared to HC. These reductions paralleled the significant increase in plasma homocysteine and cortisol levels. Significantly reduced levels of membrane DHA were also observed in FEP compared to HC. This study, using a unique cohort, provided a broader mechanism (disturbed folic acid-vitamin B12-DHA balance) of altered one-carbon metabolism and one of its key consequential components, an increased homocysteine level that together with cortisol, can contribute to the neuropathology of psychosis. These data may have important implications for the amelioration of psychopathology in schizophrenia.Psychiatry Research 12/2009; 175(1-2):47-53. · 2.52 Impact Factor -
Article: Opposite changes in predominantly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cerebrospinal fluid and red blood cells from never-medicated first-episode psychotic patients.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Variable levels of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPUFAs) reported in schizophrenia are likely due to differences in age, sex, ethnicity, diet, life style and treatments. The present study examined the EPUFAs levels in plasma, RBC and CSF in never-medicated first-episode psychotic patients and normal controls matched for ethnicity, diet and life style. The plasma EPUFAs levels were similar in both groups. Among the EPUFAs enriched in the brain, predominantly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were lower in RBC (p=<0.01) whereas higher in CSF (p=<0.01) in male>female patients. This altered DHA metabolism may provide clues for neuropathology and treatment of schizophrenia.Schizophrenia Research 01/2008; 98(1-3):295-301. · 4.75 Impact Factor
