MTHFR 677TT: Clinical Relevance and DiagnosticLimitations‎: A Case Report

  • Authors

    • Siham Bahbouh University of Health Sciences - Faculty of Medicine of Algiers, Algeria
    • Roza Sahraoui Department of Neurology, Aït Idir Neurosurgical Hospital, Algiers, Algeria
    https://doi.org/10.14419/rx72ba46

    Received date: January 12, 2026

    Accepted date: March 28, 2026

    Published date: April 5, 2026

  • MTHFR 677TT; Folate Metabolism; Homocysteine; Atypical Psychiatric Disorders; Personalized ‎Medicine; Clinical Genetics
  • Abstract

    Introduction: The c.677C>T mutation of the MTHFR gene, in the homozygous state (677TT), leads to ‎reduced activity of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, a key enzyme in folate metabolism ‎and methylation reactions. Its clinical expression is heterogeneous and may manifest as ‎atypical psychiatric presentations, even in the absence of hyperhomocysteinemia, thereby ‎limiting the diagnostic value of standard biological markers.‎

    Methods: We report the case of a female patient presenting with atypical psychotic symptoms partially ‎resistant to conventional treatment. The biological workup was complemented by genetic ‎analysis, including genotyping of the MTHFR gene.‎

    Results: Genotyping revealed a homozygous MTHFR c.677C>T mutation. Targeted metabolic ‎management was initiated, based on supplementation with active folates (5-‎methyltetrahydrofolate) combined with vitamins B12 and B6, with biological monitoring. ‎A gradual clinical improvement was observed, allowing a reduction in antidepressant ‎treatment.‎

    Discussion/Conclusion: This case illustrates the value of MTHFR genotyping in identifying an underlying metabolic ‎vulnerability in patients presenting with atypical or treatment-resistant clinical features. The ‎clinical relevance of the 677TT genotype lies in an integrative and personalized approach, ‎while its diagnostic limitations require cautious and contextualized interpretation of genetic ‎findings.

  • References

    1. O’Leary F, Samman S. (2018). Folate, vitamin B12, and postnatal depression. ‎Nutrition Reviews, 76(6), 418-431. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuy007‎.
    2. ‎Froese DS, Gravel RA. (2020). Genetic disorders of folate and cobalamin metabolism. ‎Human Molecular Genetics, 29(R2), R156-R165. ‎https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddaa173‎.
    3. ‎Almeida OP, Ford AH, Flicker L. (2015). Systematic review and meta-analysis of ‎randomized placebo-controlled trials of folate and vitamin B12 for depression. Journal ‎of Psychiatric Research, 60, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.10.003.‎
    4. ‎Hirschfeld RMA. (2014). Differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder and major ‎depressive disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 169(Suppl 1), S12-S16. ‎https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0327(14)70004-7‎.
    5. ‎Sarris J, Murphy J, Mischoulon D, Papakostas GI, Fava M, Berk M, Ng CH. (2016). ‎Adjunctive nutraceuticals for depression: A systematic review and meta-analyses. ‎American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(6), 575-587. ‎https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.15091228‎
    6. ‎Lamers F, Burstein M, He JP, Avenevoli S, Angst J, Merikangas KR. (2016). Structure ‎of major depressive disorder in adolescents and adults in the general population. ‎Molecular Psychiatry, 21(6), 802-812. https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2015.86‎.
    7. ‎Strickland M, Richardson T. (2019). Epigenetics, methylation, and mental health: A ‎review of recent evidence. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological ‎Psychiatry, 92, 145-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.11.014‎.
    8. ‎Shin LM, Liberzon I. (2016). The neurocircuitry of fear, stress, and anxiety disorders. ‎Neuropsychopharmacology, 41(1), 169-191. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2015.300‎.
    9. ‎Obeid R, Herrmann W. (2019). Homocysteine and neurodegenerative diseases. ‎Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 57(12), 1840-1850. ‎https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2019-0194‎.
    10. ‎Etkin A, Büchel C, Gross JJ. (2015). The neural bases of emotion regulation. Nature ‎Reviews Neuroscience, 16(11), 693-700. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn4044‎.
    11. ‎Smith, A.D., Refsum H. (2016). Homocysteine, B vitamins, and cognitive impairment. ‎Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 51(2), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-150900‎.
    12. ‎Sachdev PS. (2004). Homocysteine, cerebrovascular disease and brain atrophy. ‎Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 226(1-2), 25-29. ‎https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2004.09.006‎.
    13. ‎Herrmann W, Obeid R. (2011). Homocysteine: a biomarker in neurodegenerative ‎diseases. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 49(3), 435-441. ‎https://doi.org/10.1515/CCLM.2011.084‎.
    14. ‎Delgado PL, Moreno FA. (2016). Role of norepinephrine in depression. Journal of ‎Clinical Psychiatry, 77(Suppl 1), 27-33.
    15. ‎Bagher AM, Alkhaldi MF, Somaily JA, Altheyab DA, Khafaji MA, Awad RF, Eid ‎BG, Binmahfouz LS. (2024). Methylenetetrahydrofolate reduc-tase (MTHFR) C677T ‎and A1298C polymorphisms are associated with major depressive disorder in Saudi ‎patients. Pharmazie, 79(10), 228-232.
    16. ‎Wan L, Han X. (2025). Effects of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism ‎on clinical features of high-risk psychosis before schizophre-nia. Psychiatry ‎Investigation, 22(4), 442-450. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2024.0379.
    17. ‎Fryar-Williams S, Tucker G, Clements P, Strobel J. (2024). Gene variant related ‎neurological and molecular biomarkers predict psychosis progres-sion, with potential for ‎monitoring and prevention. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(24), ‎‎13348. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252413348.
    18. ‎Giammarco S, Chiusolo P, Maggi R, et al. (2024). MTHFR polymorphisms and ‎vitamin B12 deficiency: correlation between MTHFR polymor-phisms and clinical and ‎laboratory findings. Annals of Hematology, 103, 3973-3977. ‎https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-024-05937-z.
    19. ‎Hickey SE, Curry CJ, Toriello HV, et al. (2020). Addendum : ACMG Practice ‎Guideline: lack of evidence for MTHFR polymorphism testing. Ge-netics in Medicine, ‎‎22, 2125. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41436-020-0843-0‎.
  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Bahbouh , S., & Sahraoui , R. . (2026). MTHFR 677TT: Clinical Relevance and DiagnosticLimitations‎: A Case Report. International Journal of Medicine, 14(1), 31-35. https://doi.org/10.14419/rx72ba46