Abstract
The role of betaine in the liver and kidney has been well documented,
even from the cellular and molecular point of view. Despite literature
reporting positive effects of betaine supplementation in Alzheimer’s,
Parkinson’s, and Schizophrenia, the role and function of betaine in the
brain are little studied and reviewed. Beneficial effects of betaine in
neurodegeneration, excitatory and Inhibitory imbalance, and against
oxidative stress in the central nervous system (CNS) have been collected
and analyzed with the aim of understanding the main role of betaine in
the brain. There are many “dark” aspects needed to complete the
picture. The understanding of how this osmolyte is transported across
neuron and glial cells is also controversial, as the expression levels
and functioning of the known protein capable to transport betaine
expressed in the brain, betaine-GABA transporter 1 BGT-1, is itself not
well clarified. The reported actions of betaine beyond BGT-1 related to
neuronal degeneration and memory impairment are the focus of this work.
With this review, we underline the scarcity of detailed molecular and
cellular information about betaine action. Consequently, the requirement
of detailed focus on and study of the interaction of this molecule with
CNS components to sustain the therapeutic use of betaine.
Keywords
Betaine, GABA, neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, Alzheimer’s,
Parkinson’s, dementia, epilepsy, schizophrenia, PTSD