High Homocysteine Levels related to Stroke

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Jan 13 - Findings from a genotype-phenotype analysis suggest that high homocysteine levels may play a causal role in stroke. However, a related editorial suggests that confounding factors may still explain the association. "Our study...provides evidence for a role of homocysteine in the development of stroke, though it must be emphasized that a systemic review of published studies such as this might be affected to some degree by reporting bias," senior author Dr. Aroon D. Hingorani, from University College London, said in a statement.

In their review, published in the January 15th issue of The Lancet, the researchers looked first for studies linking a C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene with homocysteine levels. Then they searched for studies linking this polymorphism to stroke. A total of 111 studies were identified. Based on observation studies, this degree of elevation should raise the stroke risk by 20%.

Lancet 2005;365:194-195,224-232.