Markers for the functional availability of cobalamin/folate and their association with neuropsychiatric symptoms in the elderly

Cobalamin/folate deficiency is common in elderly subjects and may lead to p sychiatric 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 neur opsychiatric symptoms in the elderly. Plasma homocysteine, a marker of coba lamin/folate status, is frequently increased in psychogeriatric patients. A mong markers of cobalamin/folate status, plasma homocysteine shows the best association with neuropsychiatric dysfunction. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wil ey & Sons, Ltd.