Citation

Amanullah S, Seeber C. Clin. Neuropsychiatry 2010; 7(1): 10-14.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Giovanni Fioriti Editore)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The prevalence of dementia, especially Alzheimer's type, shows an increase with age (Rothman 1998). However, in a Canadian study, the prevalence of mixed Alzheimer's and 'others' was 5.8% in patients below 70 years of age (Feldman et al. 2003). The Delphi consensus study pointed towards significant increases in cases with dementia globally but especially in developing countries (Ferri et al. 2005). This study raises the possibility of many of these cases being due to nutritional deficiencies. In the 1980's, the prevalence of reversible dementias was 20% (Neshkes, Jarvik 1985), but this changed rapidly and studies quoted figures of 1% in 2003 (Clarfield 2003). Nutritional deficiencies including Vitamin B deficiency are listed as reversible causes of dementias. Appropriate supplementation has protective effects against cognitive decline (Morris et al. 2006). Pellagra is a disease that results from a deficiency of vitamin B3 (niacin). Neuropsychiatric symptoms such as confusion, depression, memory loss and psychosis can present in the later stages of this disease and can be mistaken for more common types of dementias such as Alzheimer's type or vascular dementia. Pellagra has an insidious onset, as do most nutritional deficiencies, and presents with other symptomotology long before the disease is allowed to progress to include neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is a reversible disease and can be treated safely and inexpensively. © 2010 Giovanni Fioriti Editore.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; female; case report; depression; psychosis; Dementia; suicide attempt; article; mental disease; symptomatology; Alzheimer disease; confusion; patient compliance; drug withdrawal; urinalysis; erythema; side effect; amnesia; mini mental state examination; dermatitis; multivitamin; flushing; dipyrone; pellagra; multiinfarct dementia; self neglect; Neuropsychiatric symptoms; vitamin supplementation; hairy tongue; nicotinic acid; chronic diarrhea; n methylnicotinamide; nicotinic acid deficiency; Pellagra