Disturbed one-carbon metabolism in the central nervous system: implications for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease

Objectives: The role of homocysteine (Hcy) in neurodegenerative disease is a central point in research dealing with age-related disorders. Accumulation of phospho-tau and amyloid beta (Ab) is a major pathological sign in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The study aimed at investigating a possible link between Hcy metabolism and tau protein and Ab in demented patients and control subjects. Methods: We studied concentrations of Hcy, methylmalonic acid (MMA), cystathionine, folate and vitamin B12 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with dementia (n=30) and control patients (n=45…