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Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate a relationship between concentrations of homocysteine (HCY), vitamin B12 and folic acid and disturbances of cognitive functions during acute episode of bipolar depression. Methods. 116 patients were studied (93 women, 23 men), aged 20-78 (mean 51±13) years during acute episode of bipolar depression. Depression was evaluated by the 17-item Hamilton's Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). The following tests measuring cognitive functions were applied: Trail Making Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. In all patients, the measurements of serum homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid were carried out.. Results. Hyperhomocystemia (HCY>15pM/l) was detected in 41 patients (35%), more frequently in men (52%) than in women (31 %). Patients with hyperhomocysteinemia achieved worse results in sub-tests of WAIS-R (verbal understanding and perceptional organization). In men, negative correlation was found between HCY concentration and number of errors in Stroop Test, and WCST (total errors and non-perseverative errors). In women with bipolar disorder, type II, negative correlation between HCY concentration and time of Stroop Test, and between vitamin B12 concentration and number of errors in Stroop Test, were demonstrated. In the whole group and in men, there was positive correlation between higher folic acid concentration and the number of errors in Stroop Test. Conclusions. The results obtained show higher HCY concentration in considerable proportion of patients with bipolar depression, especially in men. They also confirm a connection Badanie było częściowo finansowane z grantu ministra nauki i szkolnictwa wyższego nr 402 466740. Autorzy nie byli poddawani żadnym wpływom w toku badań i ich opracowywania. between high homocysteine concentration and worse performance in some neuropsychological tests. Such relationship was more marked in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate a relationship between concentrations of hoocysteine (HCY), vitamin B12 and folic acid and disturbances of cognitive functions during acute episode of bipolar depression., Methods: 116 patients were studied (93 women, 23 men), aged 20-78 (mean 51±13) years during acute episode of bipolar depression. Depression was evaluated by the 17-item Hamilton's Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). The following tests measuring cognitive functions were applied: Trail Making Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. In all patients, the measurements of serum homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid were carried out., Results: Hyperhomocystemia (HCY>15μM/l) was detected in 41 patients (35%), more frequently in men (52%) than in women (31%). Patients with hyperhomocysteinemia achieved worse results in sub-tests of WAIS-R (verbal understanding and perceptional organization). In men, negative correlation was found between HCY concentration and number of errors in Stroop Test, and WCST (total errors and non-perseverative errors). In women with bipolar disorder, type II, negative correlation between HCY concentration and time of Stroop Test, and between vitamin B12 concentration and number of errors in Stroop Test, were demonstrated. In the whole group and in men, there was positive correlation between higher folic acid concentration and the number of errors in Stroop Test., Conclusions: The results obtained show higher HCY concentration in considerable proportion of patients with bipolar depression, especially in men. They also confirm a connect between high homocysteine concentration and worse performance in some neuropsychological tests. Such relationship was more marked in men.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, of which patomechanizm entirely is not clear. In the picture neuropathologically there is observed degeneration and loss of dopaminergic neurons, but also noradrenergic, serotonergic and cholinergic neurons in patients with PD. It is believed, that causes of PD are both environmental and genetic factors, associated mainly with mutations in the SNCA and PRKN genes, which may lead to changes in the structure of proteins such as alpha-synuclein (ASN) and Parkin. In neurons, disorders of the protein structure can lead to its aggregation and formation of soluble oligomers and insoluble filaments in the form of Lewy bodies and Lewy neuritis. In PD aggregation of ASN can be modulated by many factors like: oxidative stress, other neuronal proteins, Parkin, catecholamines especially dopamine, and mutations of SNCA gene. It also appears that some impact on the aggregation of ASN may have destabilizing factors of ASN tetramers. That, does ASN may become a new point for pharmacotherapy in PD.

Unlabelled: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation. Hyperhomocysteinemia is considered recently as a consequence of immune activation. Acute phase proteins, proinflammatory cytokines and probably homocysteine (hHcy) are involved in the pathogenesis of MS, atherosclerosis and ageing. The aim of our study was to investigate the reciprocal links between hHcy and selected negative and positive acute phase reactants as well as interleukin-18 in men over 40 years of age suffering from MS compared to healthy subjects., Material and Methods: In 160 randomly selected men aged 40 to 70 years hHcy, C-reactive protein, transferrin, alpha1-antichymotrypsin and IL-18 were evaluated and features of MS using IDF (International Diabetes Federation-2005) criteria were estimated., Results: Hcy plasma levels are not correlated with age. Men suffering from MS revealed significantly higher serum hHcy levels than healthy subjects (11.52 +/- 6.87 microM/L vs 10.08 +/- 5.44 microM/L, p = 0.0074). A weak but positive (r = 0.099; p = 0.014) correlation between hHcy and the numbers of MS traits is shown. However, the plasma hHcy level is correlated only with HDL-cholesterol serum levels (r = -0.132; p = 0.035) and fasting blood glucose (r = 0.164; p = 0.009). hHcy concentration is strongly positively correlated with IL-18 (r = 0.276; p = 0.005), although not with CRP, alpha1-ACT and transferrin., Conclusions: In men over 40 years of age suffering from MS significant higher serum Hcy levels than healthy subjects are presented, but hHcy (as opposed to acute phase reactants) correlates only with IL-18 plasma concentrations.

Despite advances in diagnostics, the cause of epilepsy has still not been unequivocally determined in 60-65% of patients. In this group of patients, genetic factors probably play the main role. It is thought that genetic predisposition is responsible for the occurrence of so-called "idiopathic" forms of epilepsy in about 40% of patients. The genetic basis of epilepsy has been substantiated by numerous examples of familial forms of epileptic syndromes. Among these, autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy can be mentioned. Mutations in the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit genes are responsible for both these epilepsies. Recent advances in molecular genetics have provided the means for better understanding of human epileptogenesis at a molecular level, which facilitates clinical diagnosis and provides a more rational basis for therapy and prevention of this form of epilepsy.

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a thyol amino acid resulting from demethylation of methionine. It is metabolized through two pathways: remethylation and trassulfuration, which use as cofactors folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy) is a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease, dementia, inborn defects, impaired cognitive function. Several drugs may change metabolic pathways of Hcy, leading to an alteration of plasma Hcy levels. HHcy has been documented in epileptic patients after chronic treatment with antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine, valproate). HHcy may lead to increase of the level of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). ADMA has been identified as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease and endothelial dysfunction. ADMA is a product of methylation of L-arginine and endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, and regulator of NO production. NO plays a role in the convulsant effect. Supplementation of B vitamins, folate and L-arginine is a strategy to reduce Hcy levels in patients with epilepsy treatment antiepileptic drugs.