The Soluble Folate Receptor in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Relation to Autism Severity and Leucovorin Treatment.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with life-long consequences that affects up to 1 in 44 children. Treatment with leucovorin (folinic acid), a reduced form of folate, has been shown to improve symptoms in those with ASD and folate pathway abnormalities in controlled clinical trials. Although soluble folate binding proteins (sFBPs) have been observed in the serum of some patients with ASD, the significance of this finding has not been studied.

Folate Pathway Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Neural Tube Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital abnormalities in the central nervous system. The exact etiology of NTDs is still not determined, but several genetic and epigenetic factors have been studied. Folate supplementation during gestation is recommended to reduce the risk of NTDs.