Abstract
Elevated plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are a risk factor for systemic vascular diseases, stroke and vascular dementia. In recent years, increasing Hcy levels have been detected in neurological disorders that are not vascular in origin including Alzheimers Disease and movement disorders (MD) such as idiopathic Parkinsons Disease (PD), Huntingtons Disease (HD) and primary dystonia. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) in PD results from L-Dopa administration and its O-methylation dependent from catechol-O-methyltransferase and may be implicated in the development of motor complications and non-motor symptoms, such as dementia. In a recent study, HHcy has been evidenced in HD patients, compared to controls. Because mutated Huntington protein influences Hcy metabolism by modulating cystathionine- β-synthase activity, Hcy could represent a biological marker of neurodegeneration and could explain the leading role of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases as causes of death in HD. Finally, several cases of homocystinuria associated with dystonia, and some recent reports of elevated Hcy in patients with primary adult onset dystonia have been published. Increased Hcy plasma levels may have important implications in patients affected by these basal ganglia disturbances, by exerting neurotoxic effects, contributing to neurotransmitter imbalance in motor circuits, and increasing the risk for vascular insults and cognitive dysfunctions.
Keywords: Movement disorders, homocysteine, levodopa, Huntington's disease, primary dystonia, Parkinson's disease, B vitamins
Current Vascular Pharmacology
Title: Hyperhomocysteinemia in Movement Disorders: Current Evidence and Hypotheses
Volume: 4 Issue: 3
Author(s): Stefano Zoccolella, Davide Martino, Giovanni Defazio, Paolo Lamberti and Paolo Livrea
Affiliation:
Keywords: Movement disorders, homocysteine, levodopa, Huntington's disease, primary dystonia, Parkinson's disease, B vitamins
Abstract: Elevated plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are a risk factor for systemic vascular diseases, stroke and vascular dementia. In recent years, increasing Hcy levels have been detected in neurological disorders that are not vascular in origin including Alzheimers Disease and movement disorders (MD) such as idiopathic Parkinsons Disease (PD), Huntingtons Disease (HD) and primary dystonia. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) in PD results from L-Dopa administration and its O-methylation dependent from catechol-O-methyltransferase and may be implicated in the development of motor complications and non-motor symptoms, such as dementia. In a recent study, HHcy has been evidenced in HD patients, compared to controls. Because mutated Huntington protein influences Hcy metabolism by modulating cystathionine- β-synthase activity, Hcy could represent a biological marker of neurodegeneration and could explain the leading role of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases as causes of death in HD. Finally, several cases of homocystinuria associated with dystonia, and some recent reports of elevated Hcy in patients with primary adult onset dystonia have been published. Increased Hcy plasma levels may have important implications in patients affected by these basal ganglia disturbances, by exerting neurotoxic effects, contributing to neurotransmitter imbalance in motor circuits, and increasing the risk for vascular insults and cognitive dysfunctions.
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Cite this article as:
Zoccolella Stefano, Martino Davide, Defazio Giovanni, Lamberti Paolo and Livrea Paolo, Hyperhomocysteinemia in Movement Disorders: Current Evidence and Hypotheses, Current Vascular Pharmacology 2006; 4 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016106777698414
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016106777698414 |
Print ISSN 1570-1611 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6212 |
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