Heland S, Fields N, Ellery SJ, Fahey M and Palmer KR (2022) The role of nutrients in human neurodevelopment and their potential to prevent neurodevelopmental adversity. Front. Nutr. 9:992120. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.992120

The role of nutrients in human neurodevelopment and their potential to prevent neurodevelopmental adversity

Baddam S, Khan KM, Jialal I. Folic Acid Deficiency. [Updated 2025 Jun 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535377/

Folic Acid Deficiency National Library of Medicine

Siatka, T., Mát'uš, M., Moravcová, M., Harčárová, P., Lomozová, Z., Matoušová, K., Suwanvecho, C., Krčmová, L. K., & Mladěnka, P. (2025). Biological, dietetic and pharmacological properties of vitamin B9. NPJ science of food, 9(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00396-w

Biological, dietetic and pharmacological properties of vitamin B9

Liwinski, T., & Lang, U. E. (2023). Folate and Its Significance in Depressive Disorders and Suicidality: A Comprehensive Narrative Review. Nutrients, 15(17), 3859. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173859

Folate and Its Significance in Depressive Disorders and Suicidality

Collection of references for folic acid deficiency.

Iona College

According to researchers, folic acid (vitamin B9) deficiency has detrimental effects on neurodevelopment in utero and in infancy; and deficits are associated with a greater risk of depression during adulthood.

Folic Acid Deficiency

Folate is important for the success of neural cell proliferation and differentiation during fetal development. Folate supplementation has been shown to reduce neural tube defects. It is recommended that those planning to be pregnant to take 0.4-0.8 mg of folate through the first trimester. However, there is conflicting research on the continued supplementation/high levels of folate during the later trimesters for the potential increased risk of autism spectrum disorders for the child. 

Folic Acid and Neurodevelopment

References for Folic Acid Deficiency

Folic acid deficiency can be caused by a wide range of factors: 

1. Increased physiological requirements like pregnancy have increased demand for folate which may lead to a deficiency 
2. Dietary insufficiency of folate-rich foods 
3. Malabsorption of folate due to gastrointestinal conditions, alcoholism, and inhibition from drugs like methotrexate and phenytoin 
4. Mutations of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene, or MTHFR, may contribute to deficiency

Folic Acid Deficiency Etiology

Low levels of folate have been associated with an increased risk depression. Folate plays a role in neurotransmitter synthesis through tetrahjydrobiopterin (BH4) which may implicate lower levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine that are all involved in symptoms of depression. 

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