Vitamin B12 deficiency in psychiatric practice

Abstract

Levels of vitamin B12 are commonly requested in psychiatric patients, specifically in units for acute patients. Despite the abundant literature available about the correlation between this hypovitaminosis and neuro-psychiatric symptoms, there are still many doubts about the risk groups that should be screened, the tests that should be applied, how to treat, and the real usefulness of vitamin supplementation in the resolution of affective, cognitive or psychotic symptoms. This article presents a narrative review of the available literature, and summarizes the main recommendations about theoretical and practical questions concerning this subject matter, with emphasis on the correlation between low levels of vitamin B12 and cognitive impairment, depression and psychotic disorders.

Keywords

• Cyanocobalamin
• Dementia
• Depression
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin Deficiency