Professor John Scott, folate and neural tube defects

Abstract

SummaryJohn Scott (1940Scott ( -2013 was born in Dublin where he was to spend the rest of his career, both as an undergraduate and subsequently Professor of Biochemistry and Nutrition at Trinity College. His research with the talented group of scientists and clinicians that he led has had a substantial impact on our understanding of folate metabolism, mechanisms of its catabolism and deficiency. His research established the leading theory of folate involvement with vitamin B12 in the pathogenesis of vitamin B12 neuropathy. He helped to establish the normal daily intake of folate and the increased requirements needed either in food or as a supplement before and during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. He also suggested a dietary supplement of vitamin B12 before and during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. It would be an appropriate epitaph if fortification of food with folic acid became mandatory in the UK and Ireland, as it is in over 70 other countries.

The influence of early environment and micronutrient availability on developmental epigenetic programming: lessons from the placenta

“…There are some studies on the effects of maternal diet on placental methylation in humans, for example, prenatal vitamin intake has been associated with a small reduction in placental methylation, including at sites associated with neuronal developmental pathways ( Dou et al, 2022 ). Looking at specific components, folate has been widely studied during pregnancy, as its deficiency is associated with low birth weight, preterm birth, spontaneous abortion and birth outcomes including neural tube defects ( Tamura and Picciano, 2006 ; Fekete et al, 2010 ; Greenberg et al, 2016 ; Hoffbrand et al, 2014 ). One-carbon components, including folate, have been studied in complicated pregnancies to see how they affect DNA methylation.…”

Folate Transporters in Placentas from Preterm Newborns and Their Relation to Cord Blood Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels

“…Deficient maternal folate intake [1] and decreases in folate bioavailability associated with reduced folate transport to the fetus or the presence of FRα (folate receptor alpha) autoantibodies (FRAbs) [7] are included in the etiology of PT. Also, folate deficiency may induce low birth weight and other altered birth outcomes such as neural tube defects (NTD) [3,4,8]. Folates and FA reduce the risk of NTD [8], thus several countries have implemented food fortification programs with FA to increase the consumption of FA during pregnancy [9].…”

“…Also, folate deficiency may induce low birth weight and other altered birth outcomes such as neural tube defects (NTD) [3,4,8]. Folates and FA reduce the risk of NTD [8], thus several countries have implemented food fortification programs with FA to increase the consumption of FA during pregnancy [9]. Chile started FA fortification in 2001 with 2.4 mg of FA/1000 g in wheat flour [10], which led to a 43% decrease in the prevalence of NTD two years later [11].…”