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Vitamin B12 & ALS

Modeling how vitamin B12 affects neuroinflammation, muscle atrophy and neurodegeneration.

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Vitamin B12 model results

Seven biomarkers across three biological processes

Each graph compares the matched normal-model reference with the ALS model condition at 0 nM vitamin B12, followed by increasing vitamin B12 inputs. All vitamin B12 inputs and biomarker outputs are shown in nM.

Normal model referenceALS model conditionIncreasing vitamin B12
Biological process

Neuroinflammation

Modeled effects on two inflammatory signaling molecules associated with immune activity in the nervous system.

01 · Neuroinflammation

TNF-α

TNF-α model comparison showing a normal reference, the ALS condition at zero nanomolar vitamin B12, and outputs for increasing vitamin B12 inputs.
Biological Context

TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine associated with inflammatory signaling in the nervous system.

The modeled TNF-α output decreases as vitamin B12 input increases, from approximately 18.5 nM in the ALS condition to 12.6 nM at 17,000 nM B12. The output remains far above the matched normal-model reference of 0.00012 nM.

02 · Neuroinflammation

IL-6

IL-6 model comparison showing a normal reference, the ALS condition at zero nanomolar vitamin B12, and outputs for increasing vitamin B12 inputs.
Biological Context

IL-6 participates in inflammatory communication and changes with immune activation.

The modeled IL-6 output decreases progressively with vitamin B12 input, from approximately 0.0315 nM in the ALS condition to 0.0221 nM at 17,000 nM B12. It does not reach the approximate normal-model reference shown in the supplied deck.

Biological process

Muscle Atrophy

Modeled effects on extracellular-matrix outputs and MuRF1, a regulator of muscle protein breakdown.

03 · Muscle Atrophy

Collagen

Collagen model comparison showing a normal reference, the ALS condition at zero nanomolar vitamin B12, and outputs for increasing vitamin B12 inputs.
Biological Context

Collagen is part of the extracellular matrix that supports muscle structure. Excess remodeling or accumulation may accompany muscle injury and fibrosis, but interpretation depends on the collagen species and tissue compartment.

The modeled collagen output falls with increasing vitamin B12 input. The slide does not identify the collagen type, so this result should be read as a model-specific collagen output rather than a clinical collagen measurement.

04 · Muscle Atrophy

Fibronectin

Fibronectin model comparison showing a normal reference, the ALS condition at zero nanomolar vitamin B12, and outputs for increasing vitamin B12 inputs.
Biological Context

Fibronectin organizes extracellular matrix and cell-matrix interactions. Changes can reflect tissue remodeling rather than a direct measure of muscle strength.

The modeled fibronectin output decreases from approximately 0.755 nM in the ALS condition to 0.109 nM at the highest B12 input. It remains above the approximate normal-model reference.

05 · Muscle Atrophy

MuRF1

MuRF1 model comparison showing a normal reference, the ALS condition at zero nanomolar vitamin B12, and outputs for increasing vitamin B12 inputs.
Biological Context

MuRF1 is a muscle-specific ubiquitin ligase involved in degradation of contractile proteins during atrophy.

The modeled MuRF1 output decreases as vitamin B12 input rises, from approximately 249 nM in the ALS condition to 48 nM at 17,000 nM B12. The result moves toward, but remains well above, the matched normal-model reference.

Biological process

Neurodegeneration

Modeled effects on ER-stress signaling and an autophagy-associated readout.

06 · Neurodegeneration

CHOP

CHOP model comparison showing a normal reference, the ALS condition at zero nanomolar vitamin B12, and outputs for increasing vitamin B12 inputs.
Biological Context

CHOP is induced during prolonged endoplasmic-reticulum stress and can participate in stress-associated cell-death signaling.

The modeled CHOP output decreases sharply with vitamin B12 input, from approximately 79.3 nM in the ALS condition to 10.1 nM at the highest input. It remains above the normal-model reference.

07 · Neurodegeneration

LC3-II

LC3-II model comparison showing a normal reference, the ALS condition at zero nanomolar vitamin B12, and outputs for increasing vitamin B12 inputs.
Biological Context

LC3-II marks autophagosome-associated LC3, but a single LC3-II concentration cannot determine whether autophagic flux has increased or decreased.

The model predicts lower LC3-II output as vitamin B12 input rises. This movement toward the normal-model value should be interpreted as a modeled LC3-II change, not by itself as proof that autophagy has normalized.

Beyond the model

Clinical and biological context

Randomized clinical trial

Ultrahigh-dose methylcobalamin in early ALS

A 16-week randomized clinical trial in Japanese patients with early-stage ALS and moderate progression reported slower functional decline with ultrahigh-dose methylcobalamin than with placebo.

This clinical regimen does not establish equivalence with the model inputs shown on this page.

Oki et al., 2022 →
Human and experimental evidence

Vitamin B12 and inflammatory markers

Higher circulating vitamin B12 was associated with lower IL-6 and C-reactive protein in humans and with lower IL-6 in mice.

Association does not establish that vitamin B12 directly controls every inflammatory pathway modeled here.

Domínguez-López et al., 2024 →
Measurement context

LC3-II requires flux-based interpretation

LC3-II at one time point does not by itself measure autophagic flux. Interpretation requires comparison under conditions that reveal lysosomal delivery and turnover.

The LC3-II graph therefore reports a model output rather than a clinical conclusion about restored autophagy.

Mizushima & Yoshimori, 2007 →

Sources & supporting material

  1. User-supplied model graphs: Effect of Vitamin B12 on ALS(1).pptx. Values reconstructed from raster charts unless otherwise stated.
  2. Oki R, et al. (2022). Efficacy and Safety of Ultrahigh-Dose Methylcobalamin in Early-Stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. JAMA Neurology.
  3. Domínguez-López I, et al. (2024). Higher circulating vitamin B12 is associated with lower inflammatory markers.
  4. Todd J, et al. (2013). Reference range and biological variation of IL-6 and TNF-α. Cytokine.
  5. Mizushima N, Yoshimori T. (2007). How to interpret LC3 immunoblotting. Autophagy.

These modeled results do not establish a clinical dose, treatment recommendation or individual outcome. Input concentrations are retained exactly as labeled in the supplied source deck.

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