title: Markers for the functional availability of cobalamin/folate and their association with neuropsychiatric symptoms in the elderly.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Chemistry, University of Lund, University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hultberg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Isaksson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gustafson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008745:Methylation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine