Observational studies have shown an association between moderately elevated levels of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and a number of common diseases, including cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications, foetal abnormalities, cognitive impairment and dementia, depression, osteoporosis, and mortality (see Refsum(1, 2) for relevant literature).

There have been very few studies that specifically addressed the questions:

1. 'Are raised tHcy levels, or low-normal levels of B vitamins in the mother associated with an increased risk of diseases or syndromes in their children?

2. 'Are raised tHcy levels, or low-normal levels of B vitamins in early life associated with an increased risk of diseases or syndromes?

Aims

The ALSPAC cohorts of mothers and children offer a unique opportunity to address the above broad questions. The aim is to see if there is any relation of these markers to health and well-being in mother and child, making use of the many outcome measures in ALSPAC. Some specific questions include:

1. Are maternal tHcy and B vitamins related to pregnancy outcomes, such as size of baby at birth? (see our studies in Norway(3) & India(4))
2. Is maternal tHcy related to placental vasculopathology?
3. Are maternal tHcy and B vitamins related to markers of behaviour, cognition and school performance in children?
4. Are tHcy and B vitamins in children related to markers of behaviour, cognition, and school performance?
5. Are tHcy and B vitamins in children related to other disease or functional outcomes?
6. Is there evidence of interactions between common polymorphisms in genes such as MTHFR, levels of folate, B12, tHcy and any of the outcome measures?