Vitamins regulate the systemic function. Most of the B complex vitamins have enough neurological role to play in our body.
Vitamin B12
It is a B complex type of vitamin involved synthesis of DNA . It helps in myelin synthesis which is the outer covering of the nerves. It serves as a cofactor in myelination, has immunomodulatory and neurotrophic effects. Deficiency of vitamin B12 causes paresthesia, numbness or tingling sensation. Paresthesia means altered feeling to different senses. Numbness is decreased level of sensation like touch, pain, temperature, hot or cold.
Deficiency of vitamin B12 cause megaloblastic anemia. Here we get a wide range of neurological symptoms like numbness, paresthesia, ataxia, myelopathy, muscle weakness. In severe cases, it may cause severe acute combined degeneration of spinal cord.
Folic acid
It is also known as vitamin B9 also involved in DNA synthesis. It is supplied in pre conceptional period to prevent any neurological complications neural tube defect, meningocele, meningomyelocele in the growing baby. Neural tube defect occurs when the neural tube doesn’t close properly. The two most common types of neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly.
Spina bifida can be seen at any part of spinal cord that doesn’t close in its way. This may damage the spinal cord or spinal nerves. It may cause physical or intellectual disabilities.
In Meningocele a sac of fluid protrudes in baby’s back. When it contains sac along with a part of spinal cord it is called as meningomyelocele. It is the very serious type of spina bifida which may damage the spinal cord due to injury. It may cause moderate to severe disabilities.
Folic acid supplied at a dose of 400 micrograms to avoid such neurological problems. Given one month before conception at a dose of 4000 micrograms to at least three months after conception can prevent neurological complications.
Rich sources include leafy vegetables, beans, spinach, vegetables.
Vitamin B6
It is also known as pyridoxine. Deficiency can cause injury to motor and sensory axons. Low pyridoxine levels can be present in patients with neuropathy especially in patients without weakness and normal proprioception. It is a cofactor for glutamic acid decarboxylase and GABA transaminase involved in GABA metabolism in brain. In neonates, it is given in refractory seizure cases not responding to the conventional therapies. It also helps in raising the serotonin levels which elevates the mood. In combination with folic acid and vitamin B12, it reduces the homocysteine level and chances of stroke is reduced.
Vitamin B1
It is also known as thiamine. Deficiency may cause beriberi. Beriberi is basically two types; Dry beriberi and wet beriberi. Dry beriberi can cause peripheral neuropathy.
