Maternal vitamin B12 levels were measured during first and early second trimesters of pregnancy. High maternal vitamin B12 levels (≥81th percentile) was associated with increased risk for offspring childhood autism, adjusted odds ratio, 1.59, 95% confidence interval 1.06–2.41 (p = 0.026).
Studies have highlighted associations of vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies with poor foetal neurodevelopment, as well as further cognitive function issues. In addition, a study highlighted the potential risk of high B12 levels and the risk of ASD.
Children with ASDs can have poor protein intake as well as frequent nutrient deficiencies, including fiber, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, vitamin B12, and iron deficiencies. Food selectivity or picky eating is an important risk factor in the development of nutritional deficiencies.
Poor B12 (deficient B12 status and low serum B12) is associated with worse sensory and motor peripheral nerve function. Nerve function impairments may lead to physical function declines and disability in older adults, suggesting that prevention and treatment of low B12 levels may be important to evaluate.
Vitamin B12 deficiency causes multisystemic involvement. Presentation may include megaloblastic anemia and neuropathy, along with nonspecific symptoms, including hyperpigmentation of the skin, weakness, failure to thrive, developmental delay, afebrile seizures, nystagmus, tremors, and irritability.
Children who eat little or no dairy or meat – such as those following strict vegan or vegetarian diets – may not get enough of the vitamin from their diet and require a vitamin supplement. Babies can develop low levels of B12 if their mothers had low vitamin levels during pregnancy.
Low levels of vitamin B12 may affect brain health in the long term and increase the risk of cognitive decline. Depending on the person's age, it may lead to : reduced school performance in children.
Symptoms of B-12 deficiency can be subtle at first. Early symptoms may include a persistent tingling or prickly feeling in your feet or hands, weakness, numbness, imbalance, and mental problems such as confusion, depression, irritability and forgetfulness. Rarely, vitamin B-12 deficiency is a cause of dementia.
Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can result in hematological changes, neurological and psychiatric problems, which can manifest as irritability, changes in personality, depression, and memory loss [9]. It is also known to worsen depression by excitotoxic reactions caused by the accumulation of homocysteine [10].
Research has shown that Methyl B12, also known as methylcobalamin, can help relieve symptoms of autism. In the body, B12 assists with detoxification because it is a critical factor of the methylation pathway that helps the body make the powerful antioxidant, glutathione.
People with autism may lack the ability to recognize and label emotions, and they may have difficulty responding to social cues. This can vary from individual to individual.
Dopamine
Numerous studies have suggested that ASD could be linked to dopaminergic dysfunction and have hypothesized that dopamine imbalances in specific brain regions could lead to autistic behaviors [71].
Both vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency are more common in older people, affecting around 1 in 10 people aged 75 or over, and 1 in 20 people aged 65 to 74.
Diet. Some people can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet. A diet that includes meat, fish and dairy products usually provides enough vitamin B12, but people who do not regularly eat these foods can become deficient.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause symptoms that affect your brain and nervous system (neurological symptoms), including: numbness. muscle weakness. psychological problems, which can range from mild depression or anxiety, to confusion and dementia.
Symptoms of B12 deficiency. Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to a range of neurological symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and mood swings. In severe cases, a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause more serious symptoms such as confusion, memory loss, and even psychosis.
Stress is known to deplete our levels of B vitamins, especially vitamin B12. Vegetarians, vegans and those on restricted diets can struggle to get enough vitamin B12 to meet their body's needs.
A lack of B12 can mess with your mental health and eventually can lead to depression or anxiety. One theory why: Low B12 may affect the production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, the same brain chemicals impacted in depression that's not related to B12.
Stage 1 is decreased levels of vitamin B12 in the blood. Stage 2 is low concentration of vitamin B12 in the cell and metabolic abnormalities. Stage 3 is increased levels of homocysteine and MMA and decreased DNA synthesis resulting in neuropsychiatric symptoms. Stage 4 is macrocytic anemia.
It may take a few weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve. If you have hydroxocobalamin injections to boost your vitamin B12 levels at the start of treatment, the cyanocobalamin tablets may start to work within a few days.
Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that helps your body make red blood cells and DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause physical, neurological and psychological problems if it is not treated.
How to raise your B12 levels fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.
MR imaging of the brain in B12 deficiency shows confluent areas of abnormal signal in- tensity on T2-weighted images in the cerebral white matter, with resolution of these changes often in months after initiation of B12 therapy [8].
Vitamin B12 deficiency can have distressing neuropsychiatric symptoms. It can have an etiological role in clinical presentations like depression, anxiety, psychosis, dementia, and delirium, requiring screening of at-risk populations.