What is Leucovorin and What Does It Do?

What is Leucovorin and What Does It Do?

Leucovorin, also called folinic acid, is a form of the B-vitamin folate. It’s different from regular folic acid because it is the active form your body can use right away, without needing to be converted.

How Leucovorin Helps

1. Protecting Healthy Cells During Certain Chemotherapy Treatments

   • Some chemotherapy drugs (like methotrexate) can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Leucovorin “rescues” healthy cells by providing them with folate, helping reduce side effects like mouth sores, low blood counts, or intestinal issues.

     
     

2. Treating Folate Deficiency

   • Leucovorin can help children or adults who don’t get enough folate from food or who have conditions that prevent folate absorption. Folate is essential for red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis.

     
     

3. Managing Certain Genetic Conditions

   • In children with conditions like MTHFR mutations, their bodies may not process folic acid efficiently. Leucovorin bypasses these metabolic steps, supplying active folate directly.

     
     

4. Adjunct Therapy in Neurological or Psychiatric Conditions (off-label use in some cases)

   • Some research suggests leucovorin may support brain function in certain metabolic or neurological conditions, often under close medical supervision.

     
     

Leucovorin and Autism: How It May Help

Some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have difficulties using regular folate due to genetic differences, such as MTHFR mutations. In these cases, leucovorin provides the active form of folate that the body can use immediately.

How Leucovorin May Support Children with Autism

1. Supports Brain Cell Function

   • Folate is critical for producing neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers in the brain. By giving leucovorin, we can help support proper signaling in the brain, which may improve attention, language, and social interaction.

2. Reduces Folate Transport Problems

   • Some children with autism have autoantibodies against the folate receptor, which block folate from entering the brain. Leucovorin can bypass some of these blocks, ensuring the brain receives the folate it needs.

3. May Improve Language and Communication

   • Studies have shown that children with ASD who take leucovorin sometimes show improvements in expressive language, communication, and overall functioning, particularly if they have folate receptor antibodies.

4. Supports Overall Cellular Health

   • Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and repair, red blood cell production, and energy metabolism. Ensuring adequate folate can support overall growth and development.

   
   
   
   

   WE DO PRESCRIBE THIS TO PATIENTS WHO MAY BENEFIT. We feel comfortable discussing with parents the pro/cons in their unique situation and prescribing.

   
   

   
   

   Dr. Patel himself has a special needs child and understands that any unique approach is worth taking - especially when there is new data, research and progress being made in this field of medicine.