Folate metabolism in epileptic and psychiatric patients.
Serum and red cell folate levels and serum vitamin B(12) levels have been estimated in 33 normal controls; 34 epileptic outpatients, 19 of whom also suffered from psychiatric illness; 33 epileptic inpatients with psychiatric illness; and 30 non-epileptic inpatients with psychiatric illness. Significant lowering of serum folate and red cell folate levels was observed in epileptic patients with psychiatric illness, and a less significant fall in red cell folate levels was found in non-epileptic psychiatric patients. Serum folate levels less than 2·5 ng/ml. were found in two controls, seven outpatient epileptics, 29 inpatients, and 10 non-epileptic patients. Red cell folate levels less than 100 ng/ml. were found in two controls, nine outpatient epileptics, 23 inpatient epileptics, and seven non-epileptic patients. A significant correlation was found between serum and red cell folate values in control, epileptic, and non-epileptic patients. In the epileptic patients there was a significant association between low serum and red cell folate levels and the presence of psychiatric illness. The origin and possible significance of these findings are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010640:Phenothiazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010640:Phenothiazines; D010672:Phenytoin; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12; D010634:Phenobarbital