Epigenetic effects of folate and related B vitamins on brain health throughout life: Scientific substantiation and translation of the evidence for health improvement strategies.

ABSTRACT: Suboptimal status of folate and/or interrelated B vitamins (B₁₂ , B₆ and riboflavin) can perturb one-carbon metabolism and adversely affect brain development in early life and brain function in later life. Human studies show that maternal folate status during pregnancy is associated with cognitive development in the child, whilst optimal B vitamin status may help to prevent cognitive dysfunction in later life. The biological mechanisms explaining these relationships are not clear but may involve folate-related DNA methylation of epigenetically controlled genes related to brain development and function. A better understanding of the mechanisms linking these B vitamins and the epigenome with brain health at critical stages of the lifecycle is necessary to support eviden

SUBMITTER: Caffrey A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10946506 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature