Ascorbate (Vitamin C) is a very important molecule in the brain. Ascorbate is transported into brain through Sodium-dependent Vitamin C Transporter-2 (SVCT2), and will be reduced to dehydroascorbic acid, which is the oxidized form of ascorbate. Dehydroascorbic acid is transported into extracellular place and enter astrocyte space via Solute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter members (GLUT family). Once dehydroascorbic acid in astrocyte cells, it is rapidly reduced to ascorbate to do further reactions that are associated with other pathways. Ascorbate is proposed as a neuromodulator of glutamatergic, dopaminergic, cholinergic and GABAergic transmission and related behaviors; it also has a number of other important functions, participating as a co-factor in several enzyme reactions including catecholamine synthesis, collagen production and regulation of HIF-1α.

Vitamin C in the Brain References