FRAT Testing & Targeted Leucovorin Therapy: A Breakthrough in Brain-Based Care at Brain Treatment Center NoVA

FRAT Testing & Targeted Leucovorin in Virginia

Now available in Ashburn & Alexandria — serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland

Folate plays a crucial role in brain health, neurotransmitter production, and cellular repair. Yet for some individuals, the brain can’t access enough folate, even when blood levels appear normal. This hidden issue can impact everything from cognitive function and mood to development and behavior.

At Brain Treatment Center NoVA (BTC NoVA), we now offer Folate Receptor Antibody (FRAT) testing and, when clinically appropriate, Leucovorin (folinic acid) therapy to address this often-overlooked barrier to neurological health.

What Are Folate Receptor Antibodies (FRA)?

Folate receptor antibodies are immune proteins that mistakenly block folate from crossing the blood-brain barrier. This condition, known as Cerebral Folate Deficiency, prevents the central nervous system from receiving the folate it needs for healthy neurological function, even if your diet or supplements provide enough folate.

When this occurs, the brain struggles to regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, repair damaged cells, and maintain stable cognitive and emotional processing.

Common Symptoms of Folate Receptor Antibody (FRA) Activity Include:

• Brain fog and difficulty concentrating

• Fatigue and low motivation

• Developmental delay or regression in children

• Anxiety, depression, or mood swings

• Poor response to standard folate or B-vitamin supplementation

In many cases, these symptoms overlap with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, anxiety, and chronic fatigue, making FRAT testing an important diagnostic tool for families and clinicians seeking root-cause answers.

FRAT Testing: Identifying the Hidden Barrier

The Folate Receptor Antibody Test (FRAT) detects the presence of antibodies that interfere with folate transport into the brain. At BTC NoVA, FRAT testing is available for both children and adults who may be experiencing neurological or developmental symptoms that are resistant to traditional treatment.

This is a specialized test, different from methylation panels like MTHFR or COMT testing. While methylation testing evaluates how your body processes folate, FRAT testing identifies whether your brain can use it.

Together, these insights give us a more complete understanding of the biochemical and neurological factors influencing cognition, behavior, and mood.

Targeted Leucovorin Therapy

For patients who test positive for Folate Receptor Antibodies, BTC NoVA offers Leucovorin therapy (folinic acid), a clinically supported form of folate designed to bypass the blocked receptor pathway and directly nourish the brain.

(All prescriptions are provided based on medical necessity and clinical appropriateness following a comprehensive medical review. Medication recommendations and prescriptions are issued solely at the discretion of the treating physician.)

Research and clinical experience show that Leucovorin supplementation may improve:

• Focus and attention

• Cognitive clarity and energy

• Mood regulation

• Speech and social engagement in children

• Overall neurological resilience

Because Leucovorin crosses into the central nervous system more efficiently than standard folic acid or methylated folate, it offers a targeted solution for patients whose brain folate receptors are impaired.

Why FRAT Testing and Leucovorin Matter

Functional and integrative care means looking deeper than symptoms, it means finding the underlying mechanisms that prevent healing.

At Brain Treatment Center NoVA, we integrate FRAT testing and Leucovorin therapy within our broader, multidisciplinary programs, including:

• MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) for brainwave optimization

• Functional Health Testing for nutrient, genetic, and metabolic imbalances

• Occupational Therapy & SPIN Program for sensory and neurodevelopmental support

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to enhance cellular repair and recovery

• Psychiatric and Integrative Services for medication and neurochemical balance

By uncovering root causes like folate receptor antibodies, we help patients move beyond symptom management, toward lasting neurological healing and optimized function.

While FRAT testing evaluates whether folate can cross the blood-brain barrier, methylation SNP testing (MTHFR, COMT, and related polymorphisms) measures how effectively your body activates and utilizes folate at the cellular level. Both processes are vital but distinct, one reveals whether folate can reach the brain, and the other shows whether your body can convert and use it. At Brain Treatment Center NoVA, we now offer comprehensive methylation polymorphism testing alongside FRAT testing to provide a full picture of your body’s biochemical pathways. Identifying genetic variants that impact methylation can help tailor nutritional and therapeutic support, optimizing neurotransmitter production, detoxification, hormone balance, and overall brain function. Together, these insights form the foundation of truly individualized care, addressing neurological and emotional health at its biological roots.

Now Accepting Patients Across Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland

FRAT Testing and Leucovorin Therapy are now available at both BTC NoVA locations in Ashburn and Alexandria.

Whether you’re a parent seeking answers for your child’s developmental or behavioral challenges, or an adult looking to understand the root causes of brain fog, fatigue, or mood changes, our team is here to help you find clarity and direction.

Brain Treatment Center NoVA

Restoring balance at the brain, body, and cellular level.

📍 Ashburn & Alexandria

📞 703-857-2560

🌐 BTCNVA.com