Ortega T M, Andrés P, López-Sobaler A, Ortega A, Redondo R, Jiménez A, Jiménez L M
Departamento de Nutrición, F. Farmacia, Univ. Complutense, Madrid, España.
Nutr Hosp. 1994 Jul-Aug;9(4):251-6.
A variety of studies indicate that folate deficiency is associated with the appearance of problems of a neuromuscular or neurological nature such as depression, muscular and mental fatigue, states of confusion and non-senile dementia, and that these processes improve fully or partly when the deficiency is corrected. Because of the role of folates in the reactions in synthesis of neuro-transmitter and elements of neuron structure, it is not surprising that a deficiency is associated with depression and other mental problems. Folates are involved in the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) which is the main contributor of methyl groups in the nervous system and whose action as an antidepressive agent is confirmed. They are also involved in the synthesis of glutamate which is an excitant neurotransmitter, and in the formation of puric and pyrimidic bases. An alternative mechanism for explaining the etiopathogenesis of folate deficiency in depression and other mental disorders involves the regeneration of tetrahydrobiopterin (THB) which is an essential cofactor in hydroxylation process in the brains of mammals. Folate deficiency is a common nutritional problem in many groups of the Spanish population and, given the role of this vitamin in the operation of the nervous system, we might consider the possibility that, in some case, folate deficiency may cause or aggravate some alterations to mental function.
多项研究表明，叶酸缺乏与神经肌肉或神经方面的问题有关，如抑郁、肌肉和精神疲劳、意识混乱状态和非老年痴呆症，并且当缺乏症得到纠正时，这些症状会完全或部分改善。由于叶酸在神经递质合成和神经元结构成分的反应中起作用，因此缺乏叶酸与抑郁和其他精神问题相关也就不足为奇了。叶酸参与S-腺苷甲硫氨酸（SAM）的合成，SAM是神经系统中甲基的主要供体，其作为抗抑郁剂的作用已得到证实。它们还参与兴奋性神经递质谷氨酸的合成以及嘌呤和嘧啶碱基的形成。解释抑郁和其他精神障碍中叶酸缺乏的病因发病机制的另一种机制涉及四氢生物蝶呤（THB）的再生，THB是哺乳动物大脑中羟化过程的必需辅助因子。叶酸缺乏是西班牙许多人群中常见的营养问题，鉴于这种维生素在神经系统运作中的作用，我们可能会考虑在某些情况下，叶酸缺乏可能导致或加重一些心理功能改变的可能性。
