Abstract
Homocysteine (Hcy) itself is considered to have neurotoxicity and it has been reported that Hcy has a relation with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. In addition, it has also been reported that the L-DOPA preparation has an effect to increase the blood Hcy concentrations, and the presence of hyperhomocysteinemia in Parkinson's disease and its influences on clinical symptoms are attracting attention. In this study, we investigated the rate of patients with parkinsonism in 98 patients with hyperhomocysteinemia showing their blood Hcy concentrations exceeding 20 μmol/L and also investigated the therapeutic effect of a vitamin B preparation (vitamin B_<12> and, folic acid). As a result, parkinsonism was detected in 30 of the 98 patients (30.6%). When the vitamin B preparation was administered to hyperhomocysteinemia patients with parkinsonism, their blood Hcy concentrations decreased significantly from 29.4±2.9μmol/L to 12.8±1.7 μmol/L. In addition, parkinsonian symptoms were improved by administration of the vitamin B preparation alone in 4 patients. It is therefore considered that parkinsonism would possibly be improved by administration of the vitamin B preparation when the blood concentrations of Hcy, vitamin B_<12> and folic acid are determined in patients with parkinsonism and thereby hyperhomocysteinemia is recognized.
