homocysteine
Type: molecule Aliases: homocysteine levels elevated homocysteine plasma homocysteine
Systems Analogy
A toxic byproduct built up by a congested recycling loop that corrodes the **blood-brain barrier** plumbing and blocks nutrient transport.
A sulfur-containing amino acid intermediary in folate and methionine metabolism, whose accumulation is associated with neurotoxicity, blood-brain barrier leakage, and cognitive decline.
Scientific Sources & Verbatim Definitions
- Empirical StudySmith AD, Refsum H, et al. Homocysteine and Dementia: An International Consensus Statement. J Alzheimers Dis. 2018;62(2):561-570. ↗
"High plasma homocysteine is a risk factor for cognitive decline and brain atrophy."