ascorbic-acid and Mental-Disorders

In this review, we summarize the involvement of vitamin C in mental disorders by presenting available evidence on its pharmacological effects in animal models as well as in clinical studies. Vitamin C, especially its reduced form, has gained interest for its multiple functions in various tissues and organs, including central nervous system (CNS). Vitamin C protects the neuron against oxidative stress, alleviates inflammation, regulates the neurotransmission, affects neuronal development and controls epigenetic function. All of these processes are closely associated with psychopathology. In the past few decades, scientists have revealed that the deficiency of vitamin C may lead to motor deficit, cognitive impairment and aberrant behaviors, whereas supplement of vitamin C has a potential preventive and therapeutic effect on mental illness, such as major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, anxiety and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although several studies support a possible role of vitamin C against mental disorders, more researches are essential to accelerate the knowledge and investigate the mechanism in this field.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Central Nervous System; Humans; Mental Disorders; Vitamins

Ascorbate has critical roles in the central nervous system (CNS); it is a neuromodulator of glutamatergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurotransmission, provides support and structure to neurons, and participates in processes such as differentiation, maturation, and survival of neurons. Over the past decade, antioxidant properties of ascorbate have been extensively characterized and now it is known that this compound is highly concentrated in the brain and neuroendocrine tissues. All this information raised the hypothesis that ascorbate may be involved in neurological disorders. Indeed, the biological mechanisms of ascorbate in health and disease and its involvement in homeostasis of the CNS have been the subject of extensive research. In particular, evidence for an association of this vitamin with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder has been provided. Considering that conventional pharmacotherapy for the treatment of these neuropathologies has important limitations, this review aims to explore basic and human studies that implicate ascorbic acid as a potential therapeutic strategy. Possible mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of ascorbic acid for the management of psychiatric disorders are also discussed.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Mental Disorders; Psychotropic Drugs

Vitamin C (Vit C) is considered to be a vital antioxidant molecule in the brain. Intracellular Vit C helps maintain integrity and function of several processes in the central nervous system (CNS), including neuronal maturation and differentiation, myelin formation, synthesis of catecholamine, modulation of neurotransmission and antioxidant protection. The importance of Vit C for CNS function has been proven by the fact that targeted deletion of the sodium-vitamin C co-transporter in mice results in widespread cerebral hemorrhage and death on post-natal day one. Since neurological diseases are characterized by increased free radical generation and the highest concentrations of Vit C in the body are found in the brain and neuroendocrine tissues, it is suggested that Vit C may change the course of neurological diseases and display potential therapeutic roles. The aim of this review is to update the current state of knowledge of the role of vitamin C on neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic sclerosis, as well as psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. The particular attention is attributed to understanding of the mechanisms underlying possible therapeutic properties of ascorbic acid in the presented disorders.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Brain; Central Nervous System; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Mental Disorders; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Observational Studies as Topic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Topics: Amphetamine; Animals; Antipsychotic Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Behavior, Animal; Brain; Cats; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders; Mice; Rabbits; Rats

Scurvy is taught in history class and most doctors consider it a disease of the past. However, several studies show that vitamin C deficiency is highly prevalent among alcoholics, but also in elderly, people with low socioeconomic status, mental disorders or a restricted diet (7.1 - 25%). Besides the classical signs of scurvy, individuals exhibit a wide variety of symptoms. We present three recent cases of patients with vitamin C deficiency, with symptoms of bleeding, lethargy and edema, in whom supplementation greatly improved symptoms. As our cases illustrate having a high suspicion of scurvy and starting ascorbic acid might be a low cost and very effective intervention.

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Mental Disorders; Scurvy

Oxidative stress is related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) characterized by progressive memory impairment. Soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers cause cognitive loss and synaptic dysfunction rather than senile plaques in AD. The decline of the antioxidant status is associated with dementia in AD patients, especially low levels of vitamin C. Our group previously reported a relationship between anti-aging and supplementation of vitamin C derivatives. Here we report that vitamin C mitigated Aβ oligomer formation and behavioral decline in an AD mouse model treated with a vitamin C solution for 6 months. The attenuation of Aβ oligomerization was accompanied with a marked decrease in brain oxidative damage and in the ratio of soluble Aβ₄₂ to Aβ₄₀, a typical indicator of AD progression. Furthermore, the intake of vitamin C restored the declined synaptophysin and the phosphorylation of tau at Ser396. On the other hand, brain plaque deposition was not altered by the dietary intake of vitamin C. These results support that vitamin C is a useful functional nutrient for the prevention of AD.

Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Disease Models, Animal; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glutathione; Maze Learning; Mental Disorders; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Oxidative Stress; Peptide Fragments; Plaque, Amyloid; Protein Carbonylation; Synaptophysin; Time Factors

In a longitudinal follow-up study the effect of pharmaceutical supplementation of nutrients (folate, vitamin B12, B6, B1, C, iron and proteins) was established in 25 psychogeriatric patients (subject group). A reference group of 30 apparently healthy elderly subjects was used for comparison and statistical evaluation. At the time of hospitalization percentages concerning the incidence of decreased serum concentrations reflecting an inappropriate nutrient state in the subject group amounted to 28% for vitamin B12, 20% for folate, 36% for iron, 12% for transferrin and 56% for albumin concentrations. Increased plasma concentrations of homocysteine combined with decreased folate concentrations were found in 16% of the psychogeriatric patients. If compared with the initial results at admission, after three weeks of nutrient supplementation the vitamin B12 and folate serum concentrations were increased. Results for serum iron concentrations remained below the reference range interval in 5 of the 25 subjects reflecting iron deficiency. Initially decreased serum transferrin concentrations did not return to the reference range. Serum albumin levels still further decreased after admission to the hospital, resulting after three weeks in albumin concentrations below the reference range for 68% of the subjects. It is concluded that supplementation of folate and vitamin B12 lowered homocysteine plasma concentrations successfully. Supplementation of protein nutrients is not appropriate in order to restore disturbances of protein metabolism. Persisting low concentrations of proteins in serum are indicative of irreversible decreased synthesis.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Proteins; Dietary Supplements; Folic Acid; Follow-Up Studies; Homocysteine; Humans; Iron; Mental Disorders; Reference Values; Serum Albumin; Vitamin B Complex

Neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCL) are a group of neurodegenerative disorders. There is much evidence for a role of peroxidation processes in the pathogenesis of NCL, although this would certainly be indirect. Reduced total antioxidant activity of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been reported in NCL. Since ascorbic acid represents a major antioxidant in CSF, we have now determined this parameter in CSF of two patients with the infantile form of NCL (Santavuori-Haltia disease). However, the ascorbic acid values obtained (103.6 and 181.3 microM) are comparable with control values from the literature as well as with those measured in groups of children with neurologic/psychiatric diseases other than NCL (mean +/- standard deviation: 137.1+/-41.3 microM), with suspected (but excluded) meningitis (124.1+/-34.0 microM) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (131.7+/-17.0 microM). Our results indicate that CSF ascorbic acid concentrations are not affected by peroxidation processes in infantile NCL, but reveal a sharply decreased ascorbic acid concentration in one of the non-NCL patients, possibly associated with his convulsions and/or his anticonvulsant therapy.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child, Preschool; Developmental Disabilities; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Mental Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses; Reference Values

Since nutritional deficiencies might worsen the severity of symptoms and prolong the length of illness in non-nutritional disorders, particularly in the elderly, we examined the nutritional status of 216 elderly women newly admitted to a mental hospital. Compared to healthy elderly women, they had lower values for plasma prealbumin, vitamin C, and B vitamins. This was particularly common in senile dementia, and appeared to be the result of inadequate intake of protein or vitamins. Regular hospital diet for one month corrected the very low levels of prealbumin, but supplements were essential to remove deficiency of the water-soluble vitamins. Although vitamin supplements did not influence the length of stay in hospital, we did not exclude the possibility that nutritional deficiencies have a significant effect on the severity of mental illness.

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Body Weight; Dementia; Dietary Proteins; Female; Humans; Mental Disorders; Prealbumin; Protein Deficiency; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Riboflavin Deficiency; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cats; Common Cold; Diet Fads; Humans; Mental Disorders; Neoplasms; Niacin; Orthomolecular Therapy; Receptors, Cholinergic; Thiamine

Topics: Adult; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Mental Disorders; Neoplasms; Orthomolecular Therapy; Pregnancy; Rats; Reproduction; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

Ascorbic acid status of thirty-nine white children with developmental disabilities, ages three to nineteen years, is reported. Mean daily ascorbic acid intakes were calculated from three-day food records. Biochemical assessment consisted of fasting serum levels and a 6-hr. load test. Nine children served as a control group for the load test only. Mean dietary intakes for the vitamin were 204 per cent of the allowance. The mean serum ascorbic acid value was 1.3 mg. per deciliter. Only two children had levels at the unacceptable deficient level. Following load tests, ten children were identified as low excretors (less than 17 per cent), nine were moderate excretors (17 to 23 per cent), and the rest were high excretors (above 23 per cent). All of the normal children were high excretors. Two of three children with low ascorbic acid intakes (below 66 per cent of the recommended allowance) were verified as deficient by their fasting serum levels and urinary recovery after a load.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Male; Mental Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Neurotic Disorders; Nutritional Requirements

Although most researchers are concerned with the major side effects of oral contraceptives, swelling, nausea, depression, poor circulation, and weight gain are labeled ''minor'' and ignored. A few researchers have found that these side effects seem related to nutritional depletion in oral contraceptive users, especially: 1) Vitamin-B6, which is linked to depression and tryptophan level abnormalities in pill users and may be associated with nausea and weight gain. Studies show a daily need 10-30 times greater than that for women not on the pill. 2) Folic acid deficiency, common among women but a 25% deficiency rate has been noted in pill users. This has been associated with cell malformation and may be a reason for the high spontaneous abortion rate in women who conceive immediately after discontinuing the pill. 3) B1 and B12, the vitamins affecting energy, skin, and hair. Although not linked to any side effects, levels are low in pill users. 4) Vitamin-C, definitely depleted in pill users. This may be part of the bodily change resulting in cardiac problems and thrombosis. Full vitamin supplementation is recommended for all women taking oral contraceptives, including these vitamins as well as Vitamin-E and bioflavinoids. Vitamin supplements are routine for pregnancy. They should also be routine for the pseudopregnancy of oral contraception.

Topics: Anthropometry; Ascorbic Acid; Biology; Body Weight; Central Nervous System; Child Development; Contraception; Contraceptives, Oral; Depression; Digestive System; Disease; Family Planning Services; Growth; Mental Disorders; Nausea; Physiology; Signs and Symptoms; Vitamin A; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamins

Two indices of the possibility of malnutrition were constructed from the number of nutrients (up to 10) taken in amounts below recommended levels (index A) or below specified lower levels (index B). Values for these indices were determined from nutritional data for 264 old people living at home. High values for both indices were significantly related to the amount spent on food per week, the taken ing of 7 or fewer hot meals per week, and the presence of physical disability, but not to social class, living alone, or presence of a psychiatric diagnosis. The amount spent on food per week, taking 7 or fewer hot meals per week, and physical disability, are thus possible pointers to malnutrition in the elderly at home and may be useful for screening purposes.

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium, Dietary; Diet; Dietary Proteins; Female; Humans; Iron; Male; Mental Disorders; Nicotinic Acids; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Requirements; Potassium; Riboflavin; Scotland; Social Class; Thiamine; Vitamin D

Topics: Aged; Alcoholism; Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Child; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Folic Acid; Humans; Mental Disorders; NAD; Nicotinic Acids; Psychiatry; Pyridoxine; Schizophrenia; Substance-Related Disorders; Vitamin B 12; Vitamins

Topics: Aged; Aging; Arteriosclerosis; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Back Pain; Common Cold; Humans; Mental Disorders; Nutritional Requirements; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Renal Dialysis; Shock, Traumatic; Stress, Physiological; Structure-Activity Relationship; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Dietary Carbohydrates; Dietary Proteins; Female; Food Analysis; Humans; Iron; Male; Mental Disorders; Nicotinic Acids; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Riboflavin; Thiamine; Tryptophan; Vitamin A; Vitamins

Topics: Acetylcholine; Adrenochrome; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Behavior, Animal; Biological Assay; Catecholamines; Chromatography; Colon; Electric Conductivity; Fluorescence; Gels; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Mental Disorders; Mice; Niacinamide; Norepinephrine; Oxidation-Reduction; Silicon Dioxide; Spectrophotometry

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Humans; Mental Disorders

Topics: Anemia; Arteriosclerosis; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis; Liver Diseases; Mental Disorders; Pyridoxine; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Confusion; Female; Humans; Mental Disorders; Pregnancy; Psychotic Disorders; Puerperal Disorders

Topics: Alcoholism; Ascorbic Acid; Brain; Corrinoids; Drug Therapy; Humans; Liver Extracts; Mental Disorders; Psychoses, Alcoholic; Pyridoxine; Skin; Spleen; Thiamine; Tissue Extracts; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B Complex

Topics: Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Mental Disorders; Psychoses, Alcoholic; Psychotic Disorders; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin K; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Dementia; Female; Humans; Mental Disorders; Postpartum Period; Psychotic Disorders

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Female; Glycyrrhetinic Acid; Mental Disorders; Rats; Stress, Physiological

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenalectomy; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Hydrocortisone; Mental Disorders; Rats; Steroids; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Mental Disorders; Mentally Ill Persons; Socioeconomic Factors; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Electricity; Exercise; Humans; Mental Disorders; Oxidoreductases; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Communicable Diseases; Mental Disorders; Staphylococcal Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Capillaries; Capillary Fragility; Cardiovascular System; Humans; Mental Disorders; Mentally Ill Persons; Nutritional Status; Vitamins

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Chlorpromazine; Mental Disorders

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Guinea Pigs; Mental Disorders; Scurvy; Stress, Physiological

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Globulins; Mental Disorders; Serum Globulins; Vitamins

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Heparin; Mental Disorders; Rats; Stress, Physiological

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Mental Disorders; Morphine; Phenoxybenzamine; Sympatholytics

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Mental Disorders; Rats; Stress, Physiological

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Mental Disorders; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Schizophrenia; Scurvy; Vitamins

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Histamine; Histamine Release; Mental Disorders

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Ascorbic Acid; Mental Disorders; Stress, Physiological; Vitamins

Topics: Antisocial Personality Disorder; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Mental Disorders; Pregnancy; Schizophrenia; Scurvy; Vitamins

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Formaldehyde; Guinea Pigs; Mental Disorders

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Anxiety; Ascorbic Acid; Desoxycorticosterone; Glucosides; Humans; Mental Disorders; Water

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; General Adaptation Syndrome; Mental Disorders; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary Gland

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Ascorbic Acid; Mental Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Vitamins