Study Reveals How Folic Acid Prevents Birth Defects

Researchers identified a molecular pathway linking folic acid to vitamin A signaling, which may explain how it prevents neural tube defects. The study found that folic acid activates the ALDH1L1 gene, enabling production of retinoic acid, a crucial developmental signal. Experiments on frog embryos showed that without ALDH1L1, folic acid loses its protective effect. The findings, published in PNAS, suggest folic acid works by helping embryos produce the right amount of retinoic acid at the right time.