01/10/2025
Vitamin B12 continued: The second study, described as ‘groundbreaking’, revealed a novel molecular link between vitamin B12 and multiple sclerosis (MS), focusing on astrocytes in the brain. The research found that fingolimod, an approved MS drug, regulates B12 communication pathways, highlighting the potential for B12 supplementation in MS treatment.
For decades, scientists have noted an intriguing similarity between a deficiency in vitamin B12 and MS. Both produce similar neurological symptoms, including numbness or tingling in hands and feet, vision loss, difficulty walking or speaking normally, and cognitive dysfunction, such as problems with memory.
“The shared molecular binding of the brain’s vitamin B12 carrier protein, known as transcobalamin 2 or TCN2, with fingolimod provides a mechanistic link between B12 signaling and MS, towards reducing neuroinflammation and possibly neurodegeneration,” said senior study author Jerold Chun.
Working with an animal model of MS as well as human post-mortem brains, the researchers found that fingolimod suppresses neuroinflammation by functionally and physically regulating vitamin B12 communication pathways. Specifically it elevates a B12 receptor called CD320 needed to take up and use B12 when it is bound to TCN2, which distributes B12 throughout the body, including the CNS. Of note, the researchers reported that lower levels of CD320, or dietary B12 restriction, worsened the disease course in an animal model of MS and also reduced the therapeutic efficacy of fingolimod.
These new findings support the use of vitamin B12 supplementation in MS, especially in terms of delivering the vitamin to astrocytes within the brain.
For more information see Unveiling the Link: https://scitechdaily.com/unveiling-the-link-vitamin-b12-deficiency-and-its-connection-to-multiple-sclerosis/
