The use of B-vitamin group in the practice of a neurologist

Vitamins are a group of organic compounds that are essential for normal physiological functioning but which are not synthesized endogenously by the body and therefore have to be sequestered in small quantities from the environment. The role of B vitamins in cellular functioning is extremely important: they act as coenzymes in a wide range of catabolic and anabolic enzymatic reactions. Their effects are closely interrelated and are especially important for the functioning of the nervous system, including energy production, DNA or RNA synthesis and repair, genomic and non-genomic methylation, and the synthesis of numerous mediators and other neurochemicals and signaling molecules. Epidemiological studies data show that a significant proportion of the populations of developed countries suffer from deficiencies of one or more of B-vitamins, and that, in the absence of an optimal diet, administration of entire B-vitamin group in adequate doses would be a rational approach for preserving brain and whole body health. Genetic defects in vitamin metabolism and vitamin deficiencies are absolute indications for therapy with B-vitamins. However, the most common reason for their prescription is a number of neurological diseases in which there is no deficiency of B-vitamins. As an example, one of the most common indications for the prescription of B-vitamins is pain syndrome in musculoskeletal disorders and neuropathies. It is believed that B-vitamins are able to affect nociceptive and neuropathic pain, have their own analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. In most cases, the combined use of B1 + B6 + B12 vitamins is more preferable than monotherapy, since these vitamins perform synergistic biochemical roles in the nervous system, i.e. act together, and none of them can replace the other. Experimental and clinical data showed the effectiveness of complex therapy with B-vitamins in a number of peripheral and central nervous system disorders. The following conclusions can be drawn on the treatment of pain syndromes: B-vitamins have analgesic effect, their combined use is more effective than B1, B6 or B12 monotherapy for the treatment of acute pain, the combination of B-vitamins with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is more effective and safe than monotherapy with NSAIDs. In the future, most likely, the indications for the use of B-vitamins will be expanded.

pain syndrome, back pain, dorsalgia, neuropathy, B-vitamins, Neuromultivit