Vitamin B6 deficiency enhances the noradrenergic system, leading to behavioral deficits

(Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science) A mouse model was generated to mimic the condition of vitamin B6 (VB6) deficiency observed in a subtype of patients with schizophrenia by feeding with a VB6-lacking diet. The noradrenergic system in the brain of VB6-deficient mice was enhanced, leading to social deficits and cognitive impairment. Inhibiting the excessive noradrenaline (NA) release by VB6 supplementation into the brain or treatment with ?2A adrenoreceptor agonist guanfacine suppressed the increased NA metabolism and ameliorated the behavioral deficits.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news