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Previous Volume 357:421-422 July 26, 2007 Number 4 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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To the Editor: Several reports have indicated that elevated plasma levels of the amino acid homocysteine are associated with, or are a primary risk factor for, coronary and vascular disease and Alzheimer's disease. However, a number of additional studies do not show such a correlation.¹ This discrepancy may arise because there are multiple metabolic fates for homocysteine, depending on the nature and extent of cellular oxidative stress.

Most homocysteine is converted to methionine through folate-dependent and vitamin B₁₂–dependent reactions. Compromise of this conversion as a consequence of folate deficiency can lead to increased export of homocysteine from cells, which . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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