High levels of homocysteine have been identified as a very important risk factor in cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine-related abnormalities are also thought to contribute to birth defects and dementia, and there are many common acquired diseases, drugs and genetic disorders which adversely affect the metabolism of homocysteine. In this 2001 book a multidisciplinary team of experts in the field give a clear analysis of the biochemistry, genetics, epidemiology, clinical settings, causes, impact and treatment of homocysteine disorders. This is an unusually comprehensive account of the broad range of medical, nutritional and methodological implications of homocysteine in health and disease.