Citation

Engström G, Traskman-Bendz L. Nord. J. Psychiatry 1999; 53(2): 131-137.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/080394899426837

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

High prevalences of folate deficiency have been reported in psychiatric patients, and low folate and vitamin B12 concentrations have been associated with depression and low levels of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A total of 107 suicide attempters, 41 with information on CSF monoamine metabolite levels, were studied for the purpose of exploring the blood folate and serum B12 levels and their relationships with the three major monoamine metabolites in the CSF, plasma cortisol before and after dexamethasone administration, the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), suicidality as measured with the Suicide Assessment Scale (SAS), and the Marke-Nyman Temperament (MNT) dimensions. Diagnoses were made on the basis of the DSM-III-R. Few patients had low folate or B12 levels. No significant differences appeared between the diagnostic groups. B12 correlated positively and significantly with cortisol (rsp = 0.23, P = 0.04). The monoamine metabolites did not correlate significantly with folate or B12. After adjustments for age, neither folate nor B12 correlated significantly with the BHS, MADRS, SAS, or MNT scores or post-dexamethasone cortisol levels. In suicide attempters without folate or B12 deficiency, blood folate and serum B12 showed no relationship with depression or low CSF 5-HIAA concentrations. We could not replicate the high prevalences of folate or B12 deficiency previously reported for psychiatric patients. Possible reasons for the negative findings are discussed.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; aged; article; cerebrospinal fluid analysis; clinical trial; Cobalamin; cyanocobalamin; depression; Depression; dexamethasone; female; Folate; folic acid; folic acid blood level; human; hydrocortisone; hydrocortisone blood level; major clinical study; male; monoamine; Monoamine metabolites; personality; Personality; prevalence; rating scale; suicide attempt; temperament; vitamin blood level