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Influence of Folic Acid on Chick Neural Connectivity

Recent studies suggest persons with mild autism may show distinctive brain “underconnectivity” 9, 10 . Underconnectivity is described as a lack of communication and coordination via fiber tracts between imperative points of the brain. Folic acid (FA) has been recommended since the 1980s, without limitations, as a perinatal supplement to ensure proper brain development, in particular to prevent neural tube defects. We decided to measure neural outgrowth and synapse formation (connectivity) under FA supplementation, which may contribute to the state of underconnectivity. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were dissected from the lumbosacral region of eight day chick embryos and cultured in medium with or without varying levels of FA or methotrexate, a substance which blocks synthesis of FA to obtain a depleted FA condition. A monoclonal antibody which recognizes synaptic vesicles was used to immunostain developing synapses. The FA cultures showed significantly shorter and fewer neurites compared to control and methotrexate cultures. They also showed a reduction in the number of synapse forming areas. These results suggest developing neurons exposed to excess FA exhibit a reduction in two vital parameters of establishing neural connectivity.