Neurological

Neurological studies associate depression, anxiety and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) levels have been associated with MTHFR deficiency 7. Anderson, et al., (2016) claims a minimum of 24 polymorphisms in MTHFR are associated with metabolic dysfunction that play a role in many physiological symptoms including anxiety. SAMe which is formed from methionine is biochemically involved in methyl donation, it's important to maintain proper levels of DNA, protein and neurotransmitter production. If 5-MTHF is missing then SAMe and neurotransmitter levels are lowered in CSF. SAMe has shown to aid in treating compound heterozygous MTHFR mutations with positive results as soon as one week and patients with homozygous C677T have seen improvement in the treatment of depression with B-vitamins 2. Knowles et al., (2016) claimed a severe MTHFR deficiencies are rare autosomal recessive conditions leading to neurological symptoms; encephalopathy, hypotonia, microcephaly, seizures, developmental delay, hydrocephalus and episodes of apnoea. Patient three of this study had undetectable levels of CSF 5-MTHF and raised levels of Hcy. Due to low CSF levels, an MRI of the brain was taken. The results showed atrophy of cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum and brainstem, with reduced gray and white matter 7.