Folic Acid and Autism: A Systematic Review of the Current State of Knowledge
Folic acid has been identified to be integral in rapid tissue growth and cell division during fetal development. Different studies indicate folic acid’s importance in improving childhood behavioral outcomes and underline its role as a modifiable risk factor for autism spectrum disorders. The aim of...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Cells |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/8/1976 |
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| author | Bianka Hoxha Malvina Hoxha Elisa Domi Jacopo Gervasoni Silvia Persichilli Visar Malaj Bruno Zappacosta |
| author_facet | Bianka Hoxha Malvina Hoxha Elisa Domi Jacopo Gervasoni Silvia Persichilli Visar Malaj Bruno Zappacosta |
| author_sort | Bianka Hoxha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Folic acid has been identified to be integral in rapid tissue growth and cell division during fetal development. Different studies indicate folic acid’s importance in improving childhood behavioral outcomes and underline its role as a modifiable risk factor for autism spectrum disorders. The aim of this systematic review is to both elucidate the potential role of folic acid in autism spectrum disorders and to investigate the mechanisms involved. Studies have pointed out a potential beneficial effect of prenatal folic acid maternal supplementation (600 µg) on the risk of autism spectrum disorder onset, but opposite results have been reported as well. Folic acid and/or folinic acid supplementation in autism spectrum disorder diagnosed children has led to improvements, both in some neurologic and behavioral symptoms and in the concentration of one-carbon metabolites. Several authors report an increased frequency of serum auto-antibodies against folate receptor alpha (FRAA) in autism spectrum disorder children. Furthermore, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms showed a significant influence on ASD risk. More clinical trials, with a clear study design, with larger sample sizes and longer observation periods are necessary to be carried out to better evaluate the potential protective role of folic acid in autism spectrum disorder risk. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:55:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-de6767d536dd45d6af27256f1a04f78c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4409 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:55:58Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cells |
| spelling | doaj.art-de6767d536dd45d6af27256f1a04f78c2023-11-22T07:09:58ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092021-08-01108197610.3390/cells10081976Folic Acid and Autism: A Systematic Review of the Current State of KnowledgeBianka Hoxha0Malvina Hoxha1Elisa Domi2Jacopo Gervasoni3Silvia Persichilli4Visar Malaj5Bruno Zappacosta6Department of Chemical-Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Catholic University “Our Lady of Good Counsel”, Rruga Dritan Hoxha, 1000 Tirana, AlbaniaDepartment for Chemical-Toxicological and Pharmacological Evaluation of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Catholic University “Our Lady of Good Counsel”, Rruga Dritan Hoxha, 1000 Tirana, AlbaniaDepartment for Chemical-Toxicological and Pharmacological Evaluation of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Catholic University “Our Lady of Good Counsel”, Rruga Dritan Hoxha, 1000 Tirana, AlbaniaArea Diagnostica di Laboratorio UOC Chimica, Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, ItalyArea Diagnostica di Laboratorio UOC Chimica, Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Economics, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana, 1000 Tirana, AlbaniaDepartment for Chemical-Toxicological and Pharmacological Evaluation of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Catholic University “Our Lady of Good Counsel”, Rruga Dritan Hoxha, 1000 Tirana, AlbaniaFolic acid has been identified to be integral in rapid tissue growth and cell division during fetal development. Different studies indicate folic acid’s importance in improving childhood behavioral outcomes and underline its role as a modifiable risk factor for autism spectrum disorders. The aim of this systematic review is to both elucidate the potential role of folic acid in autism spectrum disorders and to investigate the mechanisms involved. Studies have pointed out a potential beneficial effect of prenatal folic acid maternal supplementation (600 µg) on the risk of autism spectrum disorder onset, but opposite results have been reported as well. Folic acid and/or folinic acid supplementation in autism spectrum disorder diagnosed children has led to improvements, both in some neurologic and behavioral symptoms and in the concentration of one-carbon metabolites. Several authors report an increased frequency of serum auto-antibodies against folate receptor alpha (FRAA) in autism spectrum disorder children. Furthermore, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms showed a significant influence on ASD risk. More clinical trials, with a clear study design, with larger sample sizes and longer observation periods are necessary to be carried out to better evaluate the potential protective role of folic acid in autism spectrum disorder risk.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/8/1976folic acidautismmethylene tetrahydrofolate reductaseautism spectrum disorders |
| spellingShingle | Bianka Hoxha Malvina Hoxha Elisa Domi Jacopo Gervasoni Silvia Persichilli Visar Malaj Bruno Zappacosta Folic Acid and Autism: A Systematic Review of the Current State of Knowledge Cells folic acid autism methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase autism spectrum disorders |
| title | Folic Acid and Autism: A Systematic Review of the Current State of Knowledge |
| title_full | Folic Acid and Autism: A Systematic Review of the Current State of Knowledge |
| title_fullStr | Folic Acid and Autism: A Systematic Review of the Current State of Knowledge |
| title_full_unstemmed | Folic Acid and Autism: A Systematic Review of the Current State of Knowledge |
| title_short | Folic Acid and Autism: A Systematic Review of the Current State of Knowledge |
| title_sort | folic acid and autism a systematic review of the current state of knowledge |
| topic | folic acid autism methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase autism spectrum disorders |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/8/1976 |
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