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Autism and Schizophrenia Linked To Vitamin B12


Autism and Schizophrenia in elderly and younger people may have common link because the levels of vitamin B12 are low in both cases. Researchers have found it.

The main cause is vitamin B12 levels decrease in brain in older age. The different levels of vitamin between B12 in blood and brain may imply numerous kinds of neurological decrease such as old-age dementia, schizophrenia, and disorders of autism. The scientists have said. Fox News reported it on Feb 15, 2016.

The study report was published in the Journal PLOS ONE in January, 2016. The study supported an emerging theory that our brain uses vitamin B12 in a strictly regulated system to promote neurological development and to control gene expression from the periods of fetal development and early childhood, in adolescence and then in middle and old age.

Vitamin B12 which is also called cobalamin has a vital role in the formation of blood and the normal function of our nervous system. The sources of B12 are animals, though it is also found in some plant-based foods.

In the study, scientists examined at least 60 deceased individuals aged from a fetus to 80 years. Twelve autism and 9 schizophrenia patients were also included in the study.

The study was the first of its kind which compares vitamin B12 levels in the brain across our lifetime. The levels of vitamin B12 were ten times higher in the youngest compared with the oldest. 

The decline of B12 levels in brain in older age is not bad but it is detrimental in young age. Low levels of vitamin B12 have many negative consequences for young people.

Researchers found the same levels of vitamin B12 in the people of under 10 years of age with autism and 57 years of age. But it was unclear what those low levels of B12 implied.

Various kinds of researches have searched for a link between neurological disorder and vitamin deficiencies. But no specific study was conducted.

Actually, the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic published a study in 2015 where researchers found that vitamin supplements were beneficial for the children with autism and overdosing was detrimental.

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