Neuropsychological correlates of homocysteine levels in euthymic bipolar patients.
BACKGROUND
We have previously reported that homocysteine levels are elevated in euthymic bipolar patients with functional deterioration. The current study was designed to extend this finding by examining the relationship between neuropsychological functioning and homocysteine levels in euthymic bipolar patients.


METHODS
Fifty-seven euthymic bipolar outpatients were assessed for serum levels of homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamin B-12 and administered a battery of neuropsychological tests.


RESULTS
We found that male bipolar subjects showed higher average homocysteine levels than a comparison group of normal subjects, that poorer functioning on a task of executive function (Wisconsin Card Sort) was related to higher homocysteine levels, and that folic acid or vitamin B-12 levels did not significantly affect neuropsychological functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
These results, while suggesting some relationship between higher homocysteine levels, bipolar illness, and impairment in cognitive function do not establish any causative effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study confirm that in euthymic bipolar patients, higher homocysteine levels are associated with poorer performance in some neuropsychological tests. Treatment trials will be required before it will be known if the putative decrements in the executive function of bipolar patients can be reversed, or at least retarded, if homocysteine levels are reduced (as, for example, by dietary addition of B vitamin supplements).
Osher
Yamima
Y
Beer Sheva Mental Health Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. yamy@bgu.ac.il
Bersudsky
Yuly
Y
Silver
Henry
H
Sela
Ben-Ami
BA
Belmaker
R H
RH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12