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I've observed dementia in some folks with advanced alcoholism. Apparently Homocysteine is also "tied to depression in Parkinson's patients", and is produced when the body consumes protein (metabolized by the liver). Could be an unexpected problem down the road for high-protein dieters? :')

[links]

Homocysteine and alcoholism.
Bleich S, Degner D, Javaheripour K, Kurth C, Kornhuber J.
Department of Psychiatry, Georg-August-University of Gottingen, Federal Republic of Germany. stefan.bleich@t-online.de
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11205139&dopt=Abstract

Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Seshadri S, Beiser A, Selhub J, Jacques PF, Rosenberg IH, D'Agostino RB, Wilson PW, Wolf PA.
Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118-2526, USA.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11844848

Turns out, I had heard of it, but forgot:

'Polypill' could slash heart attacks and strokes
by Shaoni Bhattacharya
17:17 26 June 03
The proposal is underpinned by a massive analysis of earlier trials of drugs that can lower different aspects of the risk of cardiovascular disease. Over 750 trials involving 400,000 people were assessed. However, the "Polypill" has yet to be tested in any clinical trials. The pill would combine different drugs to try to lower the four key risk factors for heart disease: cholesterol, high blood pressure, high homocysteine blood levels and blood platelet function. A statin would reduce high levels of the "bad" LDL cholesterol, slashing the risk of heart disease, while three blood pressure lowering drugs would reduce stroke risk, says Wald. Folic acid in the pill would cut high homocysteine levels, which can encourage the build up of fatty plaques in arteries. And finally aspirin would be added to regulate the function of blood platelets. Overall, the wonder pill would cut the risk of heart disease by 88 per cent and stroke by 80 per cent, the scientists estimate. The pill could also be produced cheaply, says Wald, as the patents on many of the components have expired or will do soon. Eventually the drug could be given to everyone over 55, without requiring a medical examination, says Wald. He believes that age is a more powerful predictor of cardiovascular disease than the risk factors usually considered.