[Old or new medicine? Vitamin B12 and peripheral nerve neuropathy].

Methylcobalamin is a vitamin B12 analog that is necessary for nervous system maintenance. Although methylcobalamin has some positive effects on peripheral nervous system disorders, the mechanism through which it affects neurons are not entirely known. Recent studies have revealed its intracellular signaling pathway and some of its molecular actions on neurons. In this article, I review interactions between methylcobalamin and neurons that have been revealed through in vitro studies, in vivo studies, and clinical use. Methylcobalamin participates in nervous system maintenance through several mechanisms. Methylcobalamin is an active form of vitamin B12, and a coenzyme of methionine synthase, which is required for DNA and protein methylation. In addition, methylcobalamin facilitates neurite outgrowth and inhibits neural apoptosis through the Erk1/2 and Akt signaling pathways. Treatment with high doses of methylcobalamin ameliorates symptoms and negative electrophysiological findings in animal models of peripheral nerve neuropathy and in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Thus, high-dose methylcobalamin has great potential for treating nervous system disorders. Further investigations with methylcobalamin may help elucidate its mechanisms of action, which may further enable us to treat many nervous system disorders.