| 1. |
- Regland, Björn, 1947, et al.
(author)
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Response to vitamin B12 and folic acid in myalgic encephalomyelitis and fibromyalgia
- 2015
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In: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 10:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME, also called chronic fatigue syndrome) may respond most favorably to frequent vitamin B12 injections, in vital combination with oral folic acid. However, there is no established algorithm for individualized optimal dosages, and rate of improvement may differ considerably between responders. Objective: To evaluate clinical data from patients with ME, with or without fibromyalgia, who had been on B12 injections at least once a week for six months and up to several years. Methods: 38 patients were included in a cross-sectional survey. Based on a validated observer's rating scale, they were divided into Good (n = 15) and Mild (n = 23) responders, and the two groups were compared from various clinical aspects. Results: Good responders had used significantly more frequent injections (p<0.03) and higher doses of B12 (p<0.03) for a longer time (p<0.0005), higher daily amounts of oral folic acid (p<0.003) in good relation with the individual MTHFR genotype, more often thyroid hormones (p<0.02), and no strong analgesics at all, while 70% of Mild responders (p<0.0005) used analgesics such as opioids, duloxetine or pregabalin on a daily basis. In addition to ME, the higher number of patients with fibromyalgia among Mild responders was bordering on significance (p<0.09). Good responders rated themselves as "very much" or "much" improved, while Mild responders rated "much" or "minimally" improved. Conclusions: Dose-response relationship and long-lasting effects of B12/folic acid support a true positive response in the studied group of patients with ME/fibromyalgia. It's important to be alert on co-existing thyroid dysfunction, and we suspect a risk of counteracting interference between B12/folic acid and certain opioid analgesics and other drugs that have to be demethylated as part of their metabolism. These issues should be considered when controlled trials for ME and fibromyalgia are to be designed. © 2015 Regland et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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| 2. |
- Blennow, Kaj, 1958, et al.
(author)
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No association between the alpha2-macroglobulin (A2M) deletion and Alzheimer's disease, and no change in A2M mRNA, protein, or protein expression.
- 2000
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In: Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0300-9564 .- 1435-1463. ; 107:8-9, s. 1065-79
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A polymorphism consisting of a deletion near the 5' splice site of exon 18 on the alpha2-macroglobulin (A2M) gene (A2M-2) has been suggested to be associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in family-based studies. We studied the A2M-2 allele together with the ApoE alleles in a large series on patients with AD (n = 449) and age-matched controls (n = 349). Neuropathologically confirmed diagnoses were available in 199 cases (94 AD and 107 control cases). We found no increase in A2M-2 genotype or allele frequencies in AD (27.5% and 14.6%) versus controls (26.4% and 14.9%). In contrast, a marked increase (p < 0.0001) in ApoE epsilon4 genotype or allele frequencies was found in AD (66.6% and 41.2%) as compared with controls (29.8% and 16.5%), suggesting sufficient statistical power in our sample. No relation was found between the A2M-2 and the ApoE epsilon4 allele. No change in A2M exon 17-18 mRNA size or sequence or A2M protein size was found in cases carrying the A2M-2 deletion, suggesting that there is no biological consequences of the A2M intronic deletion. No change in A2M protein level in cerebrospinal fluid was found in AD, suggesting that the A2M-2 allele does not effect the A2M protein expression in the brain. The lack of an association between the A2M-2 allele and AD in the present study, and the lack of abnormalities in the A2M mRNA or protein suggest that the A2M-2 allele is not associated with AD.
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| 3. |
- Johansson, Annica, 1969, et al.
(author)
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Homocysteine levels in patients with Alzheimer's disease are influenced by the glutathione s-transferase omega-1 (GSTO1) gene
- 2005
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In: Haematologica Reports. - 1824-9337. ; 2005:1(3):June
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: A substantial body of literature confirms an association between elevated blood levels of homocysteine and cognitive dysfunction, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Oxidative stress is a risk factor for AD. Elevated homocysteine levels might partially reflect redox status; its remethylation to methionine is coordinated by the redox-sensitive enzyme methionine synthase. Glutathione S-transferase omega-1 (GSTO1) is protective against oxidative stress, and the polymorphism Ala140Asp modifies the age-of-onset of AD. Aim: To investigate whether the GSTO1 Ala140Asp polymorphism is related to homocysteine levels in AD patients. Methods: Plasma homocysteine levels and the GSTO1 polymorphism Ala140Asp were analysed in 244 consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed AD. Results: Homocysteine levels differed significantly between the three genotypes (p=0.002) analysis of variance, Durbin-Watson D Statistic. The levels were 11.8±3.6 µmol/L in patients with the Ala/Ala genotype (n=118), 13.5±5.0 µmol/L in the Ala/Asp group (n=105), and 14.1±6.0 µmol/L in patients with the Asp/Asp genotype (n=21). Carriers of at least one Asp allele showed significantly higher plasma homocysteine levels compared to non-carriers (p=0.002) two-sample t-test. Conclusion: The association between homocysteine levels and this GSTO1 polymorphism supports the suggestion that increased homocysteine in AD patients may be a consequence of oxidative stress.
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| 4. |
- McCaddon, A., et al.
(author)
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COVID-19: A methyl-group assault?
- 2021
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In: Medical Hypotheses. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-9877. ; 149
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The socio-economic implications of COVID-19 are devastating. Considerable morbidity is attributed to 'long-COVID' - an increasingly recognized complication of infection. Its diverse symptoms are reminiscent of vitamin B-12 deficiency, a condition in which methylation status is compromised. We suggest why SARS-CoV-2 infection likely leads to increased methyl-group requirements and other disturbances of one-carbon metabolism. We propose these might explain the varied symptoms of long-COVID. Our suggested mechanism might also apply to similar conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. The hypothesis is evaluable by detailed determination of vitamin B-12 and folate status, including serum formate as well as homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, and correlation with viral and host RNA methylation and symptomatology. If confirmed, methyl-group support should prove beneficial in such individuals.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- McCaddon, Andrew, et al.
(author)
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Transcobalamin polymorphism and serum holo-transcobalamin in relation to Alzheimer's disease
- 2004
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In: Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. - : S. Karger AG. - 1420-8008 .- 1421-9824. ; 17:3, s. 215-221
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Isoforms of the vitamin B<sub>12</sub> carrier protein transcobalamin (TC) might influence its cellular availability and contribute to the association between disrupted single-carbon metabolism and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We therefore investigated the relationships between the TC 776C>G (Pro259Arg) genetic polymorphism, total serum cobalamin and holo-TC levels, and disease onset in 70 patients with clinically diagnosed AD and 74 healthy elderly controls. TC 776C>G polymorphism was also determined for 94 histopathologically confirmed AD patients and 107 controls. Serum holo-TC levels were significantly higher in TC 776C homozygotes (p = 0.04). Kaplan-Meier survival functions differed between homozygous genotypes (Cox’s F-Test F(42, 46) = 2.1; p = 0.008) and between 776C homozygotes and heterozygotes (Cox’s F test F(46, 108) = 1.7; p = 0.02). Proportionately fewer TC 776C homozygotes appear to develop AD at any given age, but this will require confirmation in a longitudinal study.
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| 7. |
- Regland, Björn, 1947, et al.
(author)
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Alzheimer's Amyloidopathy: An Alternative Aspect
- 2019
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In: Journal of Alzheimers Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 68:2, s. 483-488
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The 'amyloid hypothesis' dominates Alzheimer's disease (AD) research but has failed to deliver effective therapies. Amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin-1 (PSEN1) genetic mutations are undoubtedly pathogenic, albeit by unclear mechanisms. Conversely, high dose B-vitamins convincingly slow brain atrophy in a pre-stage state of sporadic AD. Here we suggest a link between sporadic and genetic AD: 1) Increased serum homocysteine, a marker of B-vitamin deficiencies, is a significant risk factor for sporadic AD. It also correlates with elevated levels of antichymotrypsin, a serine protease inhibitor. 2) Family members with codon 717 APP mutations and dementia have low serum vitamin B-12 values. Overexpression of the APP domain coding for a Kunitz type serine protease inhibitor might explain this. 3) PSEN1 mutations disrupt lysosomal function due to reduced proteolytic activity. They also trap cobalamin (B-12) within lysosomes, leading to intracellular deficiency of the vitamin. In summary, APP and PSEN1 mutations both confer a risk for reduced protease activity and B-12 bio-availability. Comparably, sporadic AD features a constellation of increased protease inhibition and B-vitamin deficiencies, the central part of which is believed to be B-12. These concordant observations in three disparate AD etiologies suggest a common neuropathogenic pathway. This hypothesis is evaluable in laboratory and clinical trials.
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| 8. |
- Regland, Björn, 1947, et al.
(author)
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CSF-methionine is elevated in psychotic patients
- 2004
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In: JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0300-9564 .- 1435-1463. ; 111:5, s. 631-640
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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| 9. |
- Regland, Björn, 1947
(author)
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Schizophrenia and single-carbon metabolism
- 2005
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In: PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. - : Elsevier BV. - 0278-5846. ; 29:7, s. 1124-1132
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Research review (peer-reviewed)
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| 10. |
- Regland, Björn, 1947, et al.
(author)
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Treatment of Alzheimer's disease with clioquinol.
- 2001
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In: Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders. - 1420-8008. ; 12:6, s. 408-14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- As heavy metal ions may be implicated in the formation of senile plaques in Alzheimer-afflicted brains, treatment with clioquinol was tested in 20 patients with Alzheimer's disease. Clioquinol is a chelator that crosses the blood-brain barrier and has greater affinity for zinc and copper ions than for calcium and magnesium ions. Treatment was given for 21 days at doses of 20 mg/day to 10 patients and 80 mg/day to another 10 patients. The study was blind to the dosages but included no controls. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) investigations revealed a significant increase at day 7 and a decrease at day 21 in Tau protein and growth-associated protein (GAP43). These proteins are increased in Alzheimer's disease and considered as rather stable markers. The initial increase may indicate a temporary cytotoxicity to the brain and/or an increased release into the CSF from stores in the tissue, possibly from senile plaques where the proteins are accumulated. The levels of CSF-Tau protein correlated positively and significantly with the serum levels of copper and also with the serum copper/zinc ratio. Clinical ratings showed slight improvement after 3 weeks treatment with clioquinol in this open study.
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| 11. |
- Saetre, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C Polymorphisms and Age of Onset in Schizophrenia : A Combined Analysis of Independent Samples
- 2011
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In: American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics. - : Wiley. - 1552-4841. ; 156B156:2, s. 215-224
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in the one-carbon cycle, which is of importance for nucleotide synthesis and methylation of DNA, membranes, proteins and lipids. The MTHFR gene includes two common polymorphisms (rs1801133 or C677T; rs1801131 or A1298C) which both alter enzyme activity. The T-allele of the C677T polymorphism has recently been associated with earlier age at onset of schizophrenia. In the present study we examined the association between the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and age at onset of schizophrenia in twelve samples consisting of 3,213 unrelated schizophrenia patients, including the original Scandinavian sample. There was no consistent relationship between MTHFR C677T, A1298C or combined 677T/1298C carriers and age of onset in schizophrenia when the results of each study were combined using meta-analysis. The present results suggest that the investigated MTHFR polymorphisms do not influence age of onset in schizophrenia.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Zachrisson, Olof, 1963, et al.
(author)
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Treatment with staphylococcus toxoid in fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome--a randomised controlled trial.
- 2002
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In: European journal of pain (London, England). - 1090-3801. ; 6:6, s. 455-66
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have previously conducted a small treatment study on staphylococcus toxoid in fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The aim of the present study was to further assess the efficacy of the staphylococcus toxoid preparation Staphypan Berna (SB) during 6 months in FM/CFS patients. One hundred consecutively referred patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for FM and the 1994 CDC criteria for CFS were randomised to receive active drug or placebo. Treatment included weekly injections containing 0.1 ml, 0.2 ml, 0.3 ml, 0.4 ml, 0.6 ml, 0.8 ml, 0.9 ml, and 1.0 ml SB or coloured sterile water, followed by booster doses given 4-weekly until endpoint. Main outcome measures were the proportion of responders according to global ratings and the proportion of patients with a symptom reduction of > or =50% on a 15-item subscale derived from the comprehensive psychopathological rating scale (CPRS). The treatment was well tolerated. Intention-to-treat analysis showed 32/49 (65%) responders in the SB group compared to 9/49 (18%) in the placebo group (P<0.001). Sixteen patients (33%) in the SB group reduced their CPRS scores by at least 50% compared to five patients (10%) in the placebo group (P< 0.01). Mean change score on the CPRS (95% confidence interval) was 10.0 (6.7-13.3) in the SB group and 3.9 (1.1-6.6) in the placebo group (P<0.01). An increase in CPRS symptoms at withdrawal was noted in the SB group. In conclusion, treatment with staphylococcus toxoid injections over 6 months led to significant improvement in patients with FM and CFS. Maintenance treatment is required to prevent relapse.
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| 14. |
- Zetterberg, Henrik, 1973, et al.
(author)
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Increased frequency of combined methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C mutated alleles in spontaneously aborted embryos.
- 2002
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In: European journal of human genetics : EJHG. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1018-4813 .- 1476-5438. ; 10:2, s. 113-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion is complex, presumably involving the interaction of several genetic and environmental factors. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms are commonly associated with defects in folate dependent homocysteine metabolism and have been implicated as risk factors for recurrent embryo loss in early pregnancy. In the present study we have determined the prevalence of combined MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in DNA samples from spontaneously aborted embryos (foetal death between sixth and twentieth week after conception) and adult controls using solid-phase minisequencing technique. There was a significant odds ratio of 14.2 (95% CI 1.78-113) in spontaneously aborted embryos comparing the prevalence of one or more 677T and 1298C alleles vs the wild type combined genotype (677CC/1298AA), indicating that the MTHFR polymorphisms may have a major impact on foetal survival. Combined 677CT/1298CC, 677TT/1298AC or 677TT/1298CC genotypes, which contain three or four mutant alleles, were not detected in any of the groups, suggesting complete linkage disequilibrium between the two polymorphisms. The present finding of high prevalence of mutated MTHFR genotypes in spontaneously aborted embryos emphasises the potential protective role of periconceptional folic acid supplementation.
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| 15. |
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