Markers for the functional availability of cobalamin/folate and their association with neuropsychiatric symptoms in the elderly

• Cobalamin/folate deficiency is common in elderly subjects and may lead to psychiatric symptoms, but even more often it increases the severity of other organic and non-organic mental diseases. This paper reviews the literature relevant for markers of cobalamin/folate status and their relation to neuropsychiatric symptoms in the elderly. Plasma homocysteine, a marker of cobalamin/folate status, is frequently increased in psychogeriatric patients. Among markers of cobalamin/folate status, plasma homocysteine shows the best association with neuropsychiatric dysfunction.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Geriatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Geriatrics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

blood

cobalamin

folate

homocysteine

methylmalonic acid

plasma

psychogeriatric patients

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)